





' -^ 



vV 



^^ 






V 



^ * 






' Jl i ^N 



/ ' 









••'■ 



c * 



iV </>, 












^ ,tf 



V . 






^ 



v* v 



V 




^ i 



1 






























C* Cc 



^ 



V 



</> \ v 



W 












^ 
















■ 



V 



</> -v 






* v -V = 









=%:§&'-. "^ >* :£?&■■-' 



,00. 






>o. 








,0 ^> 






" / 
















% 


"0, 









\ v 






GILDERSLEEVE-LODGE LATIX SERIES 



SELECTIONS 



FROM THE 



ROMAN ELEGIAC POETS 



With Introduction and Notes 



BY 

JESSE BENEDICT CARTER 

Assistant Professor of Latin in Princeton University 



THE UNIVERSITY PUBLISHING COMPANY 

NEW YORK • : • BOSTON • I • NEW ORLEANS 

I900 



51609 

|l_ibr*r y of Oori^»«e8ft 

SEP 25 1900 

Copyright tntry 



tio 



SECOHD COPY. 

Delivered te 

OfiOES OtVISION, 

OCT 19 ibOu 






Q5 



COPYRIGHT, 1900, BY 

UNIVERSITY PUBLISHING COMPANY 
*** 2303 




PREFACE. 

Five years ago I tried the experiment of reading the 
Augustan Elegists with a Senior elective class, and except 
for the difficulty of obtaining a suitable edition the attempt 
met with no obstacles. In the absence of an edition in Eng- 
lish containing Tibullus, Propertius, and Ovid I was compelled 
to use Teubner 'texts, supplementing the reading in class by a 
series of lectures and a running commentary. Out of these 
lectures and my marginal notes this book has arisen. In 
the case of a book thus produced it is almost impossible to 
designate particularly the dependence of the writer upon 
predecessors. As the course was repeated, new ideas sug- 
gested themselves, and use was made of available new 
material in the shape of commentaries and monographs 
until, after five years of such synthesis, a careful demarcation 
of borrowed material would necessitate a veritable Quellen- 
untersuchung. But I am deeply conscious of my indebted- 
ness in various parts of my work to the scholarly editions 
of Postgate, Ramsay, and Rothstein, and to the admirable 
practical text-books of Jacoby and Schultze. 

In the Introduction I have attempted something more than 
the customary biographies, in the belief that my theme ought 
to be the development of the elegy as a literary form rather 
than merely the lives of three individual authors. I have 
tried to sketch the history of the Roman elegy both before 
and after the classical period, and to show the inter-relation- 
ship of the elegists of the Augustan age with one another 
and with the other poets of the time, and their participation 
in the social reforms of Augustus. It is by thus emphasiz- 
ing the literary and sociological elements in antiquity more 
than by anything else that the average student may be kept 



IV PKEFACE. 

from the short-sighted policy of "dropping" the classics 
altogether in the latter years of his course. 

The commentary pretends to contain neither an applied 
syntax nor a system of antiquities. It is intended merely to 
clear up certain difficulties and to suggest certain parallels — 
in a word, to restore something of that atmosphere which 
made these authors so popular in their own clay. The 
shortness of the individual notes may prevent them from 
usurping the legitimate functions of the instructor, while at 
the same time it may encourage the student to read them. 

I have purposely avoided much translation, as this seems 
to me to lie in the province of the teacher rather than in 
that of the editor. In citing parallels I have followed two 
rules : to illustrate ideas and things rather than constructions 
and words, and, so far as possible, to choose passages from 
authors already known to the student, such as Catullus, 
Horace, Vergil, and Ovicl. The brief synopsis prefixed to 
each poem is intended to lessen the difficulty often expe- 
rienced by modern readers in following the abrupt transi- 
tions so characteristic of these poets of passion. If the 
introduction of some Greek quotations into the commentary 
needs a defence — and unfortunately it seems as if in certain 
quarters some explanation were expected — it is only neces- 
sary to say that, although for the majority of students Latin 
and Greek do indeed seem to have parted company, in that 
Latin, to the exclusion of Greek, has allied itself closely 
with French and German as a necessary instrument for 
historical research, such a divorce is impossible for any 
one to whom Latin is more than a mere tool. It seems to 
me that it is to be regretted that in academic chairs a divi- 
sion has been introduced, for the old-fashioned "'Professor 
of Ancient Languages/' in spite of his serious limitations, 
at least tried to be cloctus sermones utriiisque linguae. 

In editing selections from three different authors it seemed 
justifiable to limit the critical commentary to an inventory 
of the deviations of the present text from that of standard 



PKEFACE. V 

editions. Accordingly, in Tibullus and Propertius I have 
catalogued the variations of my text from that of Haupt- 
Vahlen (Leipsic, 1885), and in Ovid from that of Merkel- 
Ehwald (Leipsie, 1891), but I have not hesitated to differ 
from these texts (especially in Propertius) wherever it seemed 
to me that manuscript readings could be restored and con- 
jectures removed. 

A large part of the pleasure which the preparation of this 
book has brought me has come in the form of suggestions 
and advice from others. For these I am indebted to my 
colleagues, notably to Professor Westcott, and to the editors 
of the series. Professor Gildersleeve, Professor Lodge, and 
Professor Slaughter. 

Jesse Benedict Oakter. 

Princeton, New Jersey, 
August 1, 1900. 



. . . nee amara Tibullo 
tern pus amicitiae fata dedere meae. 
successor fuit bic tibi, Galle, Propertius illi ; 
quartus ab his serie temporis ipse fui. 

Ovid, Tr., iv, 10, 51 seq. 

Elegia quoque Graecos provocamus, cuius 
mihi tersus atque elegans maxime videtur auc- 
tor Tibullus. sunt qui Propertium malint. 
Ovidius utroque lascivior sicut durior Gallus. 

Quiktilian, Inst. Or at., x, i, 93. 

Cynthia te vatem fecit, lascive Properti : 

ingenuum Galli pulchra Lycoris erat : 
fama est arguti Nemesis formosa Tibulli : 

Lesbia dictavit, docte Catulle, tibi : 
non me Peligni, nee spernet Mantua vatem, 

siqua Corinna mihi, siquis Alexis erit. 

Martial, viii, 73, 5. 



INTRODUCTION. 



What is an Elegy? 

1. In his classification of poetry the ancient grammarian 
made his distinctions and gave his names primarily according 
to the outward form — the particular metre which was em- 
ployed or the musical accompaniment. The content was of 
secondary interest to him. 1 Modern writers, reversing this 
valuation, base their terminology largely on content and pay 
little heed to the form, retaining, however, many of the old 
terms and impressing on them a new meaning. The result is 
that, very often, a term whose connotation was originally 
purely formal has lost all its old significance and has come to 
represent a particular kind of content. 

2. The term c elegy ' is perhaps the most conspicuous instance 
of this process and of the confusion which it has wrought. 
To the ancient world an elegy was a poem consisting of elegi 
(eXeYot), elegiac verses 2 — the familiar combination of hexam- 
eter and pentameter falsely so called. 3 It might have any 
theme whatsoever. Naturally, the character of the metre 

1 Perhaps the best proof of this statement is found in the fact that even in the time of 
Aristotle there was no one single term for what we call ' lyric ' poetry, but instead three 
terms : ' elegiac, 1 'melic ' or ' lyric ' (in its proper sense — poetry of the lyre), and * choric,' 
all three derived from the metre or the accompaniment. 

2 Elegia : tA eAeyela (sc. eVrj), later 17 eAe-yeia. The etymology of the word is extremely 
uncertain. 

3 The best illustration of the effect of the metre in a modern language is the couplet by 
Schiller : 

Im Hexameter steigt des Springquells fliissige Saule, 

Im Pentameter drauf fallt sie melodisch herab ; 
which has been translated into English by Coleridge : 

In the hexameter rises the fountain's silvery column, 

In the pentameter aye falling in melody back. 



Vlll INTRODUCTION. 

and the musical accompaniment soon made it evident that it 
was better adapted to the treatment of some themes than of 
others. An equipoise was. at last reached when, with the 
retention of the original metre, a particular kind of theme 
became customary. But the pendulum afterwards swung 
over to the other side, making a mournful, plaintive theme 
the essential feature, and paying less regard to the metre em- 
ployed. Our classic illustration of the elegy in modern times, 
'Gray's Elegy in a Country Church-yard/ is written, as a 
matter of fact, in iambic pentapodies. Many of the links in 
the development are missing, but enough remain to enable 
us to trace the general trend. To do this, we must glance 
at the growth of the elegy among the Greeks. 

Relationship of Greek and Roman Literature. 

3. In the history of Roman culture there are two great prob- 
lems which are yet far from solution : they concern the re- 
lationship of Greek art to Roman art and of Greek literature 
to Roman literature. To reduce Roman art or literature to 
mere imitations of the Greek — the favorite method of dispos- 
ing of the problem a short time ago — is to fail to comprehend 
the subtle but essential differences existing between the two 
products. In the matter of literature fortune has dealt most 
provokingly with us. There are two fields in which a com- 
parison, were it possible, would be most profitable — the drama 
and the elegy. In the drama Ave have Greek tragedy but only 
the merest fragments of the Roman, and an abundance of 
Roman comedy but only scanty remains of that later Greek 
comedy which served the Romans as a model. 1 In the Elegy 
the situation is similar to that in comedy : the oldest Greek 
forms which remained unimitated have been in part preserved, 
but the later products, where the Roman parallels are plenti- 
ful, have been almost entirely lost. However, even the little 

1 The recently discovered fragment of the Teupyos of Menander is a great addition to 
our knowledge. (Edited by Nicole, Basel, 1898 ; and again, much better, by Grenfell and 
Hunt, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1898.) 



• INTRODUCTION. IX 

that is known about the history of the Greek elegy helps us 
in understanding the Roman, though it leaves many impor- 
tant problems unsolved. 

The Elegy among the Greeks. 

4. The history of the Greek elegy begins ' in the Ionian 
colonies on the southwestern coast of Asia Minor during 
that wonderful seventh century before the Christian era, 
when the Greek world awoke to self-consciousness. The 
earliest name is that of Callinus 2 of Ephesns, who lived in 
the first half of that century {circa 700-650). Tyrtaeus of 
Sparta, 3 the ' lame schoolmaster/ the hero of the second 
Messenian war (circa 680) comes next. Close after him. in 
point of time, is the soldier-bard 4 Arcliiloclius of Paros, 
better known for his iambics. In Mimnermus of Colophon 
(end of the seventh century) we meet the same martial ten- 
dencies, but coupled with them the praise of love. 5 "With 
him and with the end of the seventh century closes the first 
period of Greek elegy. It developed on the coast of Asia 
Minor, and its character was predominantly martial. 

5. With Solon of Athens (circa 639-559) a new period may 
be said to begin. By him the elegy was transformed from a 
vehicle of war into a means for conveying political and ethi- 
cal maxims. In a word, it became didactic. This develop- 

1 I omit here as equally worthless the statement of Suidas that the younger Olympus 
had written elegies (cf. Suidas, s. r. 'OAu.u-o^ ; the discussions of the ancient gramma- 
rians as to who the discoverer (evperTjs) of the elegy was (cf. Hor., A. P., 77, 78 : qms ta- 
men exiguos emiserit auctoi\ ! grammatici certant et aclhuc sub iudice lis est) ; and the 
modern attempts to extract history from the etymology of the word (cf. Christ, Griech. 
Lit?raturgeschichte 3 , p. 124, 4). 

2 The fragmentary remains of his elegies, as well as of all those who follow, down to 
(but not including) the Alexandrian age, are most conveniently accessible in Bergk's 
1 Anthologia Lyrica ' (ed. iv, by Hiller, Leipsic, 1890 ; reedited by Crusius, Leipsic, 1S97). 

3 He is identified with Sparta in history ; where his home was originally is another 
matter. Athens seems an easily explained falsification. Aliletus is. however, not impos- 
sible (cf. Suidas, s. v. TvpraZo?). 

4 Cf. frg. 1 (Hiller): eip.1 6' eyto Qepairuiv fjikv 'EfuaAicuo avaKTOS ' koL Moucre'cut/ eparbv 
Supov e-icrTa/uLevos. 

5 Cf. frg. 1 (H.) : «S 5e £tos, rt Se Ttpirvov arep xpvo-?]<; 'A^poStTTj?; j Te9vaL7]v, ere p.oi 

(XfjKGTl TQ.VTO. (J.4koi. 



X INTRODUCTION. 

ment was natural enough ; the elegiac metre, the combina- 
tion of hexameter and pentameter, forming a closed set of 
two lines (a distich), was especially well adapted for an}' thing 
of an epigrammatic nature. The ethical elegy of this period 
was closely akin to the epigram. Pliocylides 1 of Miletus 
(about the middle of the sixth century) used the elegy for a 
similar purpose. From the hand of Tlieognis of Megara 
there is a large 2 collection of ethical maxims. It is again a 
writer from Colophon, Antimaclms (end of the fifth cen- 
tury), who turns the elegy to the praise of love, like his 
countryman Mimnermus two centuries before. With him 
closes the second period of Greek elegy — the political-ethical 
elegy — falling in, roughly, the sixth and fifth centuries. 3 

6. It was necessary to glance hurriedly at these first two 
epochs ; but it is with the third, the Alexandrian period, 
that we are really concerned, for the productions of this 
period gave the Eoman elegists their models. In the three 
centuries preceding the Christian era there existed in Alex- 
andria a large and wealthy leisure class, devoid of all politi- 
cal and national interests with which to fill up this leisure, 
possessed of a culture borrowed and superficial rather than 
indigenous, deep-rooted, and fruitful. Literature was en- 
couraged by the rulers, who acted as its patrons, and by a 
large class of women, who formed an appreciative audience — 
women so emancipated that their wit and their beauty were 
far more admirable than their morals. The poets, subsidized 
by the rich, wrote eulogies of their benefactors and retailed 

1 He is the author of the original of Porson's famous lines against the German 
scholarship of his day : 

The Germans in Greek are sadly to seek, 

All— save only Hermann— 

And Hermann's a German. 
Cf. PllOCyl., frg. 16 (H.) : /cat ToSe <J>cokuAi5oV Aepioi Ka/coi* ov^o /tief, 6? 8" ov' irdvT€<;,Tr\riv 
npo/cAeov? /cat IIpo/<A.e>75 Aepios. v 

2 About 1,400 lines. 

3 This might be called the ' European ' period, as distinguished from the ' Asiatic ' 
period before it and the ' African ' (Alexandrian) period to follow ; but while Solon and 
Theognis would answer this description, Phocylides and Antimachus would not. 



INTRODUCTION. XI 

their own experiences, merely as a matter of art ; sometimes, 
though only occasionally, as an outlet to their feelings and 
passions. In poetry two decided tendencies, two very im- 
portant literary ideals, were making themselves felt — a desire 
for the miniature and a striving after originality. A reaction 
against the inflated epic, the turgid bombast of the Sophists, 
had set in; men conceived a dislike of anything large. 1 
Then, too, the age was decadent ; it did not possess in quiet 
its soul of originality, but there was a feverish struggle to 
attain it. The old orthodox Greek mythology of classical 
times was discarded as worn out. In its place obscure local 
legends were sought for. 2 It was an age of encyclopaedic 
learning rather than of virile, salient intelligence. Thus was 
formed that curious mixture the 'doctus poeta/ the learned 
poet. Again, music had ceased to be the regular accompani- 
ment of poetry, and in its absence the popularity of lyric 
measures decreased. For the same reason the elegiac metre, 
closely resembling the intonations of the human voice, 
and admirably adapted to recitation, became more com- 
mon. 

7. There are four poets in this period, who are important 
not only in themselves, but for their influence on Rome. 
Three of them follow one another at intervals of a generation, 
so that their combined lives just about fill out the century 
from 340 to 240 ; the fourth comes nearly two centuries later. 
Philetas 3 of Cos {circa B.C. 34:0-circa 285), the teacher of 
Theocritus, heads the list, with his elegies on Bittis. Among 

1 Cf. the famous saying of Callimachus : ^eya fiiBXiov, /aeya kohcov. 

2 This change is not altogether devoid of resemblance to the modern craze for dialect 
stories. 

3 The little that we know of him piques our curiosity. Apart from the sort of l Brook 
Farm Community ' on the island of Cos in which he seems to have been the leading 
spirit, and which the seventh idyll of Theocritus has immortalized, his personal appear- 
ance must have been most remarkable. He is said to have ..been so thin and frail that he 
earned lead in his shoes so as not to be blown away by the wind (cf. Athen., 552B, and 
Aelian, V. 27"., ix, 4). If we may believe Suidas (s. v. $iA7?Tas), he wore himself out in the 
investigation of an absurd logical fallacy (the so-called \pev86nevos ; cf. Zeller, Phil. d. 
Griech.4, n, i, p. 264, 2). 



XII INTRODUCTION. 

the Eomans it is Propertius who especially admires him. 1 
Greater than Philetas, though often mentioned with him/ 
was his successor, Callimaclms of Cyrene {circa 310-circa 
235), school teacher and court tutor. His greatest work was 
the four books of the Afrta, a production typically Alexan- 
drian in its faults and its virtues. It consisted of a poetical 
exposition of a number of local aetiological legends. No 
Alexandrian poet exerted a greater influence on Eoman 
poetry. Ennius, Catullus, Propertius, and, most of all, 
Ovid are indebted to him. 3 Eupliorion of Glial cis (born 
276), famed for his antiquarian allusions and his general 
abstruseness, showed more the ' doctus y than the ' poeta/ but 
this quality seems to have made his popularity still greater 
in Koine. So well known was he that Cicero could sum up 
all the Alexandrians of his day under the title ' cantores 
Euphorionis.' 4 His poetry seems to have found special 



1 Cf. Prop., in, i, 1 : Coi sacra Philetae ; n, 34, 31 : tu Latiis Meropem Musis imi- 
tere Philetan ; in, 9, 43, 44 : sat erit. . . | .. .cecinisse modis, Coe poeta, tuis; in, 3, 51, 52: 
Calliope. . . \ ora Philetea nostra rigavit aqua ; iv, 6, 3 : serta Philetaeis certent Bomana 
corymbis ; and also Ovid, A. A., in, 329 : sit tibi. . . Coi notapoetae. . .musa. 

2 Cf. Quintil., Inst. Orat., x, 1, 58 : elegiam .. .cuius princeps habetur Callimachus, 
secundas confessione plurimorum Philetas occupavit. The two are mentioned together 
by Propertius, n, 34, 32 ; in, 1, 1 ; in, 9, 43 ; iv, 6, 4 ; and by Ovid, A. A., in, 329 ; Bern. 
Am., 759, 760. 

3 Ennius at the very opening of his ' Annales ] borrows a motif from him (cf . Vahlen, 
Enn. poes. rel.. p. 4, and Baehrens, FPU, pp. 58, 59). Catullus's general indebtedness to 
him can hardly be estimated. Cat. lxvi is a translation of Callimaehus's nAo/cajuo? 
Bepei/uo??, and probably the famous 'Attis' (lxiii) goes back to Callimachus. (Cf. 
Wilamowitz in Hermes, xiv [1879], pp. 194-201). Whether Cat. lxiv is also dependent on 
him is a disputed question (cf., for literature on the subject, Susemihl, Gesch. d. Gr. Lit. 
in d. Alexandrinerzeit, 1, chap, xin, n. 55, p. 357). Horace, who naturally prefers Mim- 
nermus to him (cf. Ep., n, 2, 100 ft'., and Kiessling's excellent comment), is still indebted to 
him, especially in his earlier writings (Sat., 1, 2, 105, 106, is a free translation of Calli- 
machus, Epigr., 31 [Wilam.] = a. p. xii, 102. Sat., n, 1, 42 = Call., frg. 35 c [Schn.] = 
Cat., lxvi, 48). Propertius mentions him constantly (cf . references in Note above and add 
11, 1, 40 ; iv, 1, 64, for Callimachus alone) and calls himself the Roman Callimachus (iv, 
1, 64). Ovid obtained from him the idea of the ' Fasti ' and one of the chief motifs in it 
(that of introducing the gods in person and letting them speak for themselves). He pre- 
sumably follows him in many passages in the Metamorphoses, and his Ibis is a pointless 
imitation of Callimachus's v I/3is (cf. Ovid, lb., 53 ff.). 

4 Cic, Tusc, ih,45 (speaking of Ennius) : poetam egregium! quamquam ab his 
cantoribus Euphorionis conttmnitur. 



INTRODUCTION. Xlll 

favor in the eyes of Cornelius Callus/ who translated it into 
Latin. 2 Parthenius of Xicaea, the last of the Alexan- 
drian elegists, has a peculiar interest for us, because of his 
Roman connections. In the year B.C. 73 his town was 
captured and he was brought as a prisoner to Rome, where 
he was bought and set free by the father of the poet China. 3 
He was especially intimate with Gallus, for whose use in 
writing erotic poetry he prepared a sort of syllabus to Greek 
mythology on the 'sufferings of love/ a series of myths 
dealing with unhappy love-affairs. 4 

Pre-Augustan Elegy. 

8. It was in its epigrammatic use that the eleo-y first 
appealed to the Romans. The love of maxims was inborn in 
the nation. From Ennius 5 down we have epigrams written 
in the elegiac metre, not genuine ones actually inscribed, 
but rather pseudo-epigrams, often with an erotic theme, in 
which case they can be distinguished from elegies proper only 
by their brevity and general pointediiess. To this class be- 
long an epigram by Quintus Lutatius Catulus 6 (cons. 102), 
joint conqueror with Marius in the battle of Verceliae, and 
one by Valerius Aeclituus. 7 Of genuine elegists, however, 
before Cornelius Gallus we have but four names, from only 
one of whom we possess more than a few lines. This is 
Catullus. Catullus's elegiac verse includes a large collec- 



1 Cf. Diomed., in, p. 484, 17 [K.] ; Probus on Yerg., Buc, x, 50 ; Serv. on Yerg.. .4., 
vi, 72. 

2 For Vergil's appreciation of him, cf. Quintil., x, i, 56. Ovid owes to him various 
phrases in the Metamorphoses. 

3 Cinna the younger is indebted to this freedman of his father's for the original cf his 
Zmyrna, of which Catullus speaks so highly, and of his Fropemplicon Pollionis (cf. 
Kiessling, Commentat. in honorem Mommseni, Berol. 1877, p. 351). 

4 -epi epoiTtKiov TTa.9-qiJ.a.-a)v, published in the VTythographi Graeci, n, 1, ed. P. Sakolow- 
ski, Leipsic, 1896 (Teubner Text). 

6 Three of the epigrams attributed to Ennius are preserved to us in Cicero (Tusc, i, 15, 
34 : v, 17, 49 ; Legg., 11, 22, 57), collected by Baehrens, FPR., p. 125. 

6 Preserved in Gell., xix, 9, 14, and Cic, Nat. Deor., 1, 28, 79 = Baehrens, FPR., pp. 
275, 276. 

7 Preserved in Gell., xix, 9, 11 = Baehrens, 1. 1. 



xi V INTRODUCTION". 

tion of epigrams 1 (lxix-cxvi), but only four elegies proper 
(lxv-lxviii). Thus it is that the ancients, with admirable 
consistency, did not reckon him among the elegists. 2 The 
other three names are those of his contemporaries. Publius 
Terentius Varro Atacinus 8 (b.c. 82-2?), besides other 
writings, composed elegies in praise of Leucadia, 4 but the 
fame of his successors so eclipsed his own that but one line 
of his elegies has been preserved. 5 Cassius of Parma is also 
said to have written elegies p ; and. lastly, we have Catullus's 
most intimate friend, C. Licinius Calvus (82-47), who sang 
of his wife Quintilia. 7 

9. But this little group w r ere, in the matter of the elegy, 
only the forerunners of the classic elegists of the Augustan 
age. Their interests lay principally along other lines. The 
greatest poems of Catullus were in other metres : Varro 
Atacinus was originally an epic poet, and obtained his 
richest mead of praise for a poem on the Argonauts 8 ; 
Cassius of Parma was celebrated for his tragedies and his 
satires ; and Calvus, apart from his preeminence as an orator, 
seems to have rivalled Catullus in polymetric experiments. 
This many-sidedness in poetical creation was a natural con- 
comitant of the first enthusiasm awakened by an acquaint- 
ance with Alexandrian models. It gave place, a generation 
later under Augustus, to a greater specialization, and a 

1 One of these epigrams, the longest (lxxvi), illustrates well the arbitrary character 
of the distinction between epigram and elegy proper. 

2 Modern writers are not so consistent ; e.g. Jacoby in his excellent • Anthologie aus 
den Elegikern der Romer ' devotes a quarter of his space to Catullus, and even makes 
his selections largely from the non-elegiac writings. 

3 Not to be confounded with the more famous Marcus Terentius Varro Reatinus, the 
* Roman Aristotle.' 

4 Cf. Prop., ii, 34, 86. 

6 In Gram. Lat., iv, 564 (K.) = Baehr., FPR., p. 336: huic similis curis ex \ietra 
lamentatur. 

6 Aero (it, p. 390, Hauthal) : Epicureus fuit et posta...satiras scrlpsit. ..aliquot 
generibus stilum exercuit, inter quae opera elegia et epigrammata eius laudantur. 

7 Cf. Prop., ii, 34, 89 ff.; also Cat., xcvi. No traces of these elegies have, however, 
been preserved . 

8 Cf. Prop., ii, 34, 85 ; and Ovid, TV., n, 439 : is quoque Phasiacas Argo qui duxit in 
undas, | nonpotuit Veneris furta tacere suae. 



INTRODUCTION. XV 

development which, though not so varied in the individual 
case, was richer and not less varied in its total product. 1 

The Augustan Age. 

10. The Augustan elegy, like all Augustan literature, is so 
deeply affected by the peculiar environment in which it was 
produced that it is more than ever necessary here to inter- 
pret the literature by its age as well as the age by its litera- 
ture. In certain aspects, Eome after the battle of Actium 
was not altogether unlike Alexandria under the Ptolemies. 
There was the same superabundance of riches and leisure, 
and the same embargo laid upon politics, although in Eome 
it was more gracefully enforced. The ideals of both cities 
lay in the past, and the intellectual activity which, under 
more favorable conditions, might have been a source of pro- 
gress, w^as employed in historical and antiquarian research. 
But there were two very essential differences. Rome was 
very much more energetic than Alexandria and incomparably 
more patriotic. Vapid cosmopolitanism was not yet the 
order of the day. In full recognition of these conditions, 
Augustus set about his task of reorganizing society. Keenly 
aware that some activity must be supplied as a substitute for 
the share in politics of which his rule necessarily deprived 
men, not failing to realize that patriotism existed though 
latent, and not mistaking the fact that men were more 
proud of their past than of their present and that the Golden 
age was a retrospect rather than a prospect, he entered upon 
his work, and, like all true geniuses, made his obstacles a 
means of progress. The love of the past was to be encouraged; 
men should worship the glories of Eome, but not as of a 
past which could not come again, rather as 'Eoma Aeterna/ 2 



1 A similar change had taken place, more than a century before, in dramatic, com- 
• position. The many-sidedness of Livins Andronicus and Naevius gave place to the 

specialization of Plautus and Terence. The versatile Ennius, though probably younger 
than Plautus, belongs, in his literary affinities, to the older generation. 

2 The actual phrase ' Roma Aeterna n is not found, to my knowledge, earlier than 



XVI INTRODUCTION. 

whose future fortune was to be yet more glorious : in working 
toward this ideal in literature and art the upper classes were 
to be given at once employment and inspiration. But his 
scheme was larger yet and more practical ; poets were to be 
employed to stimulate this adoration of Eome and things 
Roman — they were to be his court-preachers. And so it 
comes to pass that Vergil and Horace and Tibullus and 
Propertius, unlike as they are in almost all other points, agree 
in this homage to Rome's past and in their pictures of how 
the old glories can be, and are actually being, restored. 

Of more particular conditions which governed literary 
production two are worth noticing — the literary schools and 
the system of patronage. 

The Literary Schools. 

11. The different directions and tendencies which had made 
themselves felt and formed literary schools in the Ciceronian 
age/ themselves the direct descendants of the old Alexandrian 
feuds, were still strongly marked. The gulf between the 
radicals, the imitators of Alexandria, and the conservatives, 
the admirers of Ennius, was still fixed as in the day when 
Cicero contemptuously dubbed the former ' cantores Eupho- 
riouis* ; but there had sprung up a compromise movement — 
a group of writers to whom the old wooden style of a Livius 
Andronicus and the decadent literature of Alexandria were 
equally distasteful — men who found their ideals most closely 
realized in the pre-Alexandrian classic poetry of Greece. 
Thus there were now three schools — the party of the extreme 
right, the conservatives, whose writings have almost entirely 
perished; the centre, the 'media via tutissima/ Horace, 



Had ian's time, bat the worship of the goddess ' Roma ' was very popular under Augus- 
tus. Perhaps it is not without significance in this connection that the ' eternal city ' 
is first mentioned by Tibullus (n, 5, 23, 24 : Romulus aeternae nondumfirmaverut urbis 
I moenia). 

1 Catuilus's verse gives abundant evidence of the strained relations existing between 
the different circles. 



INTRODUCTION. XV11 

Vergil, and Tibullus ; and tlie extreme left, the radicals, 
Gallus, Propertius, and Ovid. 

Patronage of Literature. 

12. While the division into schools had existed in the time 
of Cicero, the system of patronage first arose in the Augustan 
age, though it was continued during succeeding reigns. Un- 
der an emperor who attempted tragedies, actually finished an 
epic, and composed epigrams in his bath, 1 literary patronage 
was to be expected. In truth, Augustus was himself chief 
patron, occasionally — as in the case of Vergil and Horace — 
admitting the poets to his own circle ; more often, however, 
allowing the direct patronage to come from his subordinates. 
To three of the little groups thus formed a special importance 
attaches itself. They centred about Maecenas, Messalla, 
and Pollio, and acquired in each case a distinctive character 
from their leader. This character was conditioned by the 
attitude of each toward politics, not by the preference of the 
leader for any particular literary school — in fact, each group 
contained great contrasts in point of literary ideal. 2 As was 
natural, Maecenas, Augustus's intimate councillor, encour- 
aged his proteges to support the imperial reforms, and his 
circle was marked by a distinctly political character. Pollio, 
on the other hand, had no political sympathy with Augustus, 
was at best only reconciled to his rule ; his instincts were 
purely literary, though he by no means refused to help the 
warmest supporters of Augustus. Messalla occupies a posi- 
tion midway between the two; his group was less politically 
colored than that of Maecenas and more so than that of 
Pollio. These patrons play such an important role in the 

1 Sueton., Aug., 85 : pcetica summatim attigit. unus liber extat, scriptus ab eo hexa- 
metHs versibus cuius et argumentum et titulus est Sicilia ; extat alter aeque modicus 
epigrammaticm, quae fere tempore balne'i meditabatur. nam tragoediam magna impetu 
exorsus, non succedenti stilo, abolevit quaerentibusque amicis, quidnam Aiax ageiet, 
re*pondit Aiacem suum in spongeam incubuisse. 

2 E.g. Horace and Propertius in the circle of Maecenas ; Tibulius and Ovid in that 
of Messalla. 



XV111 INTRODUCTION. 

writings of their proteges that it will repay us to look more 
closely at their lives and characters. 

Maecenas. 

13. C. Cilnius Maecenas {circa B.C. 65-B.c. 8) owes his 
fame to-day largely to Horace and Propertius, who in their 
turn owed to him their first rise to fame among their contem- 
poraries. Of only equestrian rank/ but descended on his 
mother's side from an old Etruscan family of high nobility 
(the Cilnii of Arretium), 2 he became the right-hand man of 
Augustus, who employed him, not so much for affairs of 
war as for delicate diplomatic embassies. Effeminate and 
luxurious in disposition, he was, beneath all, shrewd and 
capable, and possessed of a deep knowledge of human nature. 
He dabbled in verse, and, in true dilettante fashion, produced 
a little of many different kinds of poetry. 3 

Messalla. 

14. Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus (b.c. 64- 
A.D. 13), 4 friend and protector of Tibullus and Ovid, had a 
variegated but perfectly honorable political career. When 
a student at Athens he, like Horace and the young Marcus 
Cicero (son of the orator), had joined the army of the in- 
surgents, Brutus and Cassius. After the defeat at Philippi, 
in B.C. 42, he espoused the cause of Antony ; but, becoming 

1 Hence he has been called ' the great commcner.' 

2 Cf. Note on Prop., in, 9, 1. 

3 Hendccasyllables (Isidor., xix, 32, 6 ; Sueton., vita ffor., p. 45 [R.]) ; glyconics (SeD., 
Ep., 101, 10) ; galliambics (Diomed., 514 [K.]) ; iambic trimeters (Caes. Bass., G. L., vi, 
263, 1. [K.]) ; hexameters (Ssn., Ep., 92, 35 ; Charis., G. L., 1, 79. [K.]). Fragments col- 
lected by Baehrens, FPR., 1, 338, 339. 

4 The date of his death is ordinarily given as in or before a.d. 8, but he was alive 
whan Ovid was banished (a.d. 8), for otherwise Ovid would scarcely boast that Messalla 
haJ not withdrawn his friendship (cf. Ovid, P., t, 7, 28 ff., where it is not necessary to 
suppose that Ovid was present at the funeral and that therefore he died before Ovid was 
banished). His successor as curator aquarum was not appointed till a.d. 13 (cf . Frontin., 
ag., 102). Besides this, Hieronymus, under the year a.d. 11, speaks of a disease which 
attacked him two years before his death. All of these considerations make for a.d. 13 as 
the year of his death (cf. Prosopographia Imperii Roman i, in, p. 366). 



INTRODUCTION. XIX 

disgusted with him on account of his relations with Cleopatra, 
he turned to Augustus, on whose side he fought in the battle 
Gf Acfcium. 1 After Actium, Augustus sent him on a diplo- 
matic errand to the East. 2 On his return 3 he went to Aqui- 
tania, where he put down a revolt. For this victory he 
enjoyed a triumph, September 25, B.C. 27. 4 In the follow- 
ing year (b.c. 26), having been appointed ( praefectus urbi' 
he resigned the office after six days because it seemed to 
him unconstitutional. 5 In B.C. 11 he was made ' curator 
aquarum/ 6 a very honorable office, and in B.C. 2 it was on 
his motion that Augustus received the title of ' pater 
patriae/ 7 He attained great fame as an orator, 8 in the 
matter of poetry he seems to have written some eclogues in 
Greek during his visit to Athens. 9 He was a thorough-going 
aristocrat, and was thus naturally drawn toward Tibullus, 
but he also showed no little kindness to Ovid. 10 He knew 
Horace 1X from the days of their joint experiences in Greece, 
and was also acquainted with Vergil. 12 

Pollio. 

15. C. Asinius Pollio (b.c. 76-a.d. 5) was the least po- 
litical and the most decidedly literary of the three patrons. 

1 Cf. Appian., iv, 38, and Pint., Brut., 53. 

2 Cf. Tib., i, 3. 

3 That his eastern trip preceded his western one seems probable, in spite of Appian's 
statement (1. 1.) that he went west directly after the battle of Actinm. The fact that the 
temple of Janus was closed from b.c. 29 to 27 is not pertinent. 

4 Cf. CIL., i 2 , p. 50 : m : valerivs m * f • m ' n • messalla ' a * dccxxvi corvInvs ' 
procos • ex • Gallia • vii ' K * oct. 

5 Hieronym., a. Abr., 1991 =b.c 26 ; Tac, Ann., vi, 11. 
8 Frontinus, aq., 99. 

7 Suet., Aug., 58. 

8 Tacitus {Dial., 18) prefers him even to Cicero, in respect to certain qualities. Cf. 
Cicero's own opinion of him {Brut., 1, 15, 1). 

9 Pseudo- Vergil, Catalepta, xi, IT ff. 

10 Ovid, P., 1, 7, 27 ff. : nee tuus est genitor nos infitiatus amicos, \ hortator studii 
causaque faxque met. Cf. also P., 11, 2, 1 ; Tr., iv, 4, 27 ff. 

11 Hor., C, in, 21 : on his intended visit to Horace ; Sat., 1, 10, 85 : praises him as a 
good critic ; Sat., 1, 6, 52 : as a type of the old Roman nobility ; A. P., 370, 37! I as an elo- 
quent orator. 

12 Cf. Serv.,,4., vm, 310. 



XX INTRODUCTION. 

So long as Caesar lived, lie was true to him ; after his assas- 
sination he joined the forces of Antony. Like Messalla he 
found it impossible to continue with Antony, but unlike him 
he could not persuade himself to take an active part under 
Augustus. After a successful campaign against the Dalma- 
tians in the year B.C. 39, for which he had received the 
honor of a triumph/ he withdrew altogether from politics, 
and devoted himself to literature. With the spoils of his 
Dalmatian triumph he established the first public library in 
Rome. 2 He was the first to introduce the custom that writers 
should read publicly from their own works — w r as, in a w T ord, 
the founder of the so-called ' recitationes/ 3 He was also 
interested in art, and opened his private galleries to the pub- 
lic. 4 But most important was his influence, direct and 
indirect, upon literature. His own literary work consisted 
of tragedies, love-poems, and a famous history of the Civil 
War ; as an orator and a critic he obtained even greater 
fame. 5 When a boy he had known Catullus, 6 in later life he 
had enjoyed the acquaintance of Horace, 7 but most of all is 
he famed for the friendly protection which he afforded 

Vergil. 8 

Canon of the Elegy. 

16. Such were the literary conditions and the leading men 
of the age in which the classic Roman elegy arose. There 
are four names which stand as its representatives in the opin- 
ion of posterity — Gallus, Tibullus, Propertius, and Ovid. 

These men formed what may be called the ' canon of the 
elegy/ The earliest reference to the four is by the fourth 

1 CIL., i 2 , p. 50 (a. it. c. 715) : c " asinivs • cn • f ' pollio pro ' cos ■ an (dccxiii) 

| EX PARTHINEIS ' VIII K ' NOVE3I. 

2 Plin., 2V H., xxxv, 10. 

3 Sen., Controv., iv, praef. 2. 

4 Plin., N. H., xxxvt, 33. 

5 Cf. his famous criticism of Cicero (Sen., Suas., vi, 24), of Caesar's Commentaries 
(Suet., Jul.., 56), of SalJust (Suet., de Gram., 10), of Livy (Quintil., i, 5, 56 ; vin, 1, 3). 

6 Cf. Cat., 12. 

7 Cf. Hor., C., 11, 1 ; S., 1, 10, 42, 85. 

8 Cf. Verg., 2?., in, 84, 86, 88 ; iv, 12. 



INTRODUCTION. XXI 

of them, Ovid himself. 1 His lines settle forever the chrono- 
logical sequence. That they continued to be considered as 
the typical examples is proved by a famous passage 2 from the 
manual of rhetoric which Quintilian wrote under Domitian. 
About the same time that this book was published, Martial 
gives us a similar list ; only that, as he is not speaking exclu- 
sively of the elegy but rather of lyric poetry in general, he 
adds Catullus and Vergil. 3 

Motifs of their Poetry. 

17. Individual as these poets 4 are, and with such different 
experiences in life, for all of them the great theme of their 
poetry is love. To be sure, they treat this theme in ways 
which differ widely, from the simple directness of Tibullus, 
through the histrionic passion of Propertius, down to the 
cynical sensuality of Ovid. Political themes come in occa- 
sionally, but it is generally by way of contrast, in which this 
poetry abounds ; for there are contrasts between the poet's 
poverty and other men's riches, between himself and his 
patrons, between his love of peace and other men's fondness 
for war, between the country and the city, between the past 
and the present, between the elegy and the epic. It is a nar- 
row circle into which it introduces us ; the themes are few in 
number, but they are often as deep as human nature itself. 

Use of Pseudonyms. 

18. An unusual interest has always attached to the heroines 
of this poetry, the women about whom they wrote : the L,ycoris 

1 7>., it, io, 51 ff. (quoted on the page facing the introduction). Cf. also Ovid, Lem. 
A?n., 763 ff. : carmina qitis potuit tuto legisse Tibulli, \ vel tua, cuius opus Cynthia sola 
fidtf | quis poteritlecto durus discedere Gallo? 

2 Inst. Orat., x. i. 93 (quoted on the page facing the introduction). 

3 Martial, vni, 73, 5 (quoted on the page facing the introduction) ; Martial's eighth 
hook was published about a.d. 93. 

4 In what follows, my generalizations naturally apply only to Tibullus, Propertius, and 
Ovid (as the author of the Amoves). Our knowledge of the character of Gallus's verse is 
limited to the merest hypotheses. 



XX11 INTRODUCTION. 

of Gallus, the Delia and the Nemesis of Tibullus, the Cyn- 
thia of Propertius, the Corinna of Ovid. These names are, 
of course, pseudonyms. Aero * gives us the formal principle 
on which they were chosen : eodem numero syllabarum com- 
mutationem nominum facit. That is, the poems were origi- 
nally written with the real name and were in this shape sub- 
mitted to the subject of them ; later, when they were to 
become public property, and discretion, or mere caprice, 2 dic- 
tated the substitution of a fictitious name, one was chosen 
which agreed with the original name in the number and the 
quantity of its syllables, so as not to disturb the metre. 
Fortunately, Apuleius (second century a.d.) gives us some of 
the real names (Apol., x.) 3 : accusent C. CatuUum quod Les- 
Mam pro Clodia nominavit, et Ticidam similiter quod quae 
Metella erat, Perillam scripsit, et Proper Hum qui Cynthiam 
diced Hostiam dissimulet et Tibullum quod ei sit Plania in 
ani?no, Delia in versuS In the only case in which these 
statements admit of verification (that of Lesbia = Clodia 5 ) 
they are found correct; it seems reasonable, therefore, to accept 
them in the other cases. The fact that Ovid's Corinna is not 
mentioned speaks in favor of the authenticity of the list ; for, 
as will be seen farther on, she was probably no real person. 
In general, it is remarkable that the real traits seem to grow 
more scarce with each succeeding poet : Catullus's Lesbia and 

1 Schol. on Hor., S., i, 2, 64. 

2 In the former generation in the case of Catullus's Lesbia (= Clodia) there was a real 
reason for concealment ; in the case of Tibullus and Propertius no such strong reasons 
seem to have existed. 

3 Apuleius had won the affection of a rich widow and married her. Her relatives 
accused him of having used witchcraft in the process, and the ' Apologia ' (sometimes 
called the ' de magia ') is his self-defence. 

4 In his choice of a pseudonym the poet strove to find a name connected in some way 
with poetry. Feminine adjectives derived from cult-titles of Apollo, patron god of poe- 
try, were especial favorites, e.g. Lycoris, from Apollo AvKcopelog or AvKwpev'9 : Delia, from 
Apollo A77A10S ; Cynthia, from Apollo KuV0io? ; Leucadia, from Apollo Aeu/caTa?. Lesbia 
and Corinna are also connected in the poetry ; the former refers to Sappho, poetess of 
Lesbos, and the latter is the name of a Greek poetess from Tanagra in Boeotia, who lived 
in the time of Pindar. 

5 The identification receives its strongest corroboration from Cat. lxxix : Lesbius 
"pitcher" = Clodius Pulcher. 



INTRODUCTION". XX111 

Galluses Lycoris are historic characters; Tibullus^s Delia, 
though still quite real, partakes slightly of the nature of 
a poetical apparatus ; his Nemesis is even less substantial, 
Propertius's Cynthia seems slightly more real, and yet we 
may doubt whether this is owing to her actuality so much as 
to the vigor of Propertius's style ; and, lastly, Ovid's Corinna 
is scarcely more than a literary fiction. 

Cornelius Callus. 

19. Cornelius G-allus (b.c. 70-b.c. 27) was born at Forum 

Iulii ' (modern Frejus) in Gaul. At an early age he seems to 
have made the acquaintance of Vergil, who addresses to him 
the tenth eclogue (written about B.C. 39), and is said to have 
originally devoted the last half of the fourth book of the 
Georgics to his praise. It was in fact partly through his in- 
strumentality that Vergil was introduced to Augustus. 2 After 
fighting on Augustus's side at Actium, he was appointed to 
the important position of governor of Egypt. An inscription 
recently discovered there testifies to his prowess. 3 His sud- 
den rise to power and his immoderate success seem to have 
turned his head, 4 and he spoke against the emperor, so that 
the latter was compelled to break off their friendship and to 
forbid him his court and his provinces. 5 A trial by the 

1 Over a century later (in a.d. 40) igriechi, the father-in-law of Tacitus, Vas born in 
the same town. 

2 Cf. Probus onVerg., Bite, p. 6, i, K., insiriuatus Au gusto per Cornelium Galium 
condiscipulum suum. 

3 A trilingual (Egyptian, Greek, and Latin) inscription found on the island of Philae 
in 1896. In the Latin and Greek versions he ascribes the credit for everything to himself ; 
in the Egyptian version, to Augustus. The Latin and Greek text and a translation were 
published by Mahaffy in the 'Athenaeum' of March 14, 1898. Moirmsen writes mest 
entertainingly on it in ' Ccsmopolis,' Nov., 1896, p. 544-551. 

4 He set up statues to himself all over Egypt (cf. the inscription at Philae), and wrote 
his deeds en the pyramids (Dio Cass., liii, 23). 

5 Suet., Aug., 66 : neque erdm temere ex omni numero in amicitia eius ajlicli repe- 
rientur praeter Salvidienum Bufum, quern ad consulatum usque et Cornelium Galium 
quern ad praefecturam Aegypti, ex infima iitrimque fortuna provexerat. Quorum 
alterum res novas molientem damnandum senatui tradidlt, tdteri ob ingratum et mali- 
volum animum domo et prorinciis suis interdixit. Bed Gallo qaoque et accusatorum 
denuntiationibus et senatus consultis ad necem conpulso, laudavit quidern pietatern 



XXIV INTRODUCTION. 

Senate followed, wherein he was accused of maladministra- 
tion in his government as praefectus Aegypti. Finally, in 
B.C. 27, at the age of forty-three, he committed suicide. His 
writings have altogether perished, except for a half-line 
quoted by a writer on geography. 1 The object of his affec- 
tions was a freed woman, whose own name seems to have been 
Volumnia; she was an actress (mima), and her stage name 
was Cytheris. G alias's pseudonym for her in his writings 
was Lycoris. Besides Gallus, Marcus Brutus and Antony 
were her lovers, and the story goes that she left Gallus to 
follow Antony to Gaul. 2 He seems to have written in true 
Alexandrian vein, and to have been greatly influenced in style 
by Euphorion, 3 whom he admired and whose writings he 
translated. We may gain an idea of his fondness for mytho- 
logical apparatus from the book of 'illustrations' which 
Parthenius dedicated to him. 4 In spite of the fact that his 
work has perished, his immediate fame appears to have been 
very considerable. Ovid 5 could say of him : Gallus et He- 
speriis et Gallus notus Eois, et sua cum Gallo nota Lycoris 
exit. Quintilian, 6 however, with the more refined taste of a 
later age, found' him durior. 1 

tantopere pro se indignantium, ceterum et inlacrimavit et vicem suam conquestus est, quod 
sibi soli non liceret amicis, quatenus vellet, irasci. 

1 Vibius Sequester, p. 11 (Oberl.) (= Baehrens, FPR., p. 336): uno tellures dividit amne 
duas. Many attempts have been made to prove Gallus the author of various extant 
poems ; e. g. in the case of two epigrams from the Greek Anthology (AP., v, 49 ; xvr, 
89), one from the Latin Anthology (Riese, AL., 242 (= Baehrens, PLM., iv, 183) ; even 
forgeries have been exploited in his name (cf. four poems published by Riese, AL.,914- 
917). 

2 Servius on Verg., B., x, 1 : Gallus amavit Cytheridem meretricem libertam Volum- 
nii, quae, eo spreto, Antonium euntem in Gallias est secuta. Cf. de vir. ill., 82, 2. 

3 Cf . Probus on Verg., B., x, 50: Euphorion. . .cuius in scr'ibendo secutus colorem 
xidetur Cornelius Gallus. 

4 Cf. Parthen., Praef. : ai)T(2 <roi napeo-Tai et? eVrj teal eAeyetas dvayeiv ra fxaXiaTa 
e£ avToiv dpjaofiia. 

5 Am., i, 15, 29, 30. 

6 Inst. Or at., x, 1, 93. 

7 Gallus has had the misfortune to serve as a 'clothes-horse' for the exhibition of 
Roman private life in the well-known book by W. A. Becker, ' Gallus.' 



INTRODUCTION". XXV 



Albius Tibullus. 

20. In the case of Gallus, the loss of his writings has 
deprived us of the best source of knowledge in regard to the 
details of his life, and had he not been a public character as 
well as a poet he would have been scarcely more than a name 
to us, scarcely more than Ticidas for example. The data for 
the lives of Propertius and Ovid are contained almost exclu- 
sively in their works. But the sources for the life of Tibul- 
lus are the richest, for here we have both what he himself 
tells us ] and quite a number of allusions by contemporaries, 2 
and in addition a ' vita/ which probably goes back to the lost 
work of Suetonius 3 ( de viris illustribus/ to the section 'de 
poetis/ 4 Prefixed to the 'vita' is an epigram attributed to 
Domitius Marsus. 6 

1 Te quoque Yergilio comitem non aequa, Tibulle, 

Mors iuvenera carapos misit ad Elisios, 
Xe foret, aut elegis raolles qui neret amores 
Aut caneret forti regia bella pede.' 

' Albius Tibullus, eques Roraanus, 6 insignis forma cultuque corporis 
observabilis, ante alios Corvinum Messallam oratorem 7 diiexit, cuius 
etiam contubernalis Aquitanico bello, militaribus donis donatus est. Hie 
multorum iudicio principem inter elegiographos obtinet locum. Epi- 
stulae quoque eius amatoriae, quamquam breves, omnino utiles sunt. 
Obiit adulescens, ut indicat epigramma supra scriptum.' 

21. Born about the year B.C. 54 in the neighborhood of 
Borne, probably to the northeast, in the ' regio Pedana/ 

1 Especially in the first, third, and seventh elegies of the first book. 

2 Hor., C, i, 33 ; Ep., i, 4 ; Ovid, Am., in, g ; 7>., n, 445 ; iv, io, 51. 

3 a.d. 75-160. Vahlen regards the ' vita 1 as of little value. 

4 This famous section was the source of the ' vitae 1 of Terence, Horace, and Lucan, 
which have come down to us. 

5 An epigrammatist and satirist of the Augustan age, who seems to have enjoyed con- 
siderable fame in his day and to have stood in close relationship to Augustus and Mae- 
cenas. It is, however, at least questionable whether the epigram is his work. 

6 The MSS. read eques regalis, from which Baehrens has ingeniously conjectured 
regalis, corrupted through r. e gains from R. e Gabiis, i.e. (eques) Romanus e Gabiis. 

7 MSS. originem, evidently a corruption. 



XXVI INTRODUCTION". 

possibly in the town of Gabii, 1 originally possessed of wealth, 
Tibullus, like Vergil and Propertius, seems to have lost a 
large part of it in B.C. 41, when the farms of Italy were dis- 
tributed among the veteran soldiers. His passionate love for 
the country in later life can best be accounted for by sup- 
posing that he was born and bred a country lad.' 2 The chief 
external events of his life are connected with his friendship 
for Messalla, who was about ten years his senior. Tibullus 
was indebted to his friendship probably for material support 
in carrying on a literary career, and certainly for many of 
the experiences which he chronicles in his verse. He was 
with Messalla at Actium in B.C. 31, and afterwards started for 
Asia in his company, but owing to illness at Corcyra was 
compelled to abandon the project. 3 On Messalla's return to 
Borne, Tibullus, having in the meantime recovered, was able 
to join him in the expedition to Aquitania in B.C. 28. After 
the victory at Atax they returned to Borne, and Messalla 
celebrated his triumph in B.C. 27. 4 

22. If the outward events of Tibullus's life were influenced 
by Messalla, its inward struggles were caused by his love- 
affairs. He tells us of two of the objects of his love, first of 
Delia (in Book i), and second of Nemesis (in Book n), and 
speaks indefinitely of others. Horace (C, I, 33) refers to one 
of these under the name of ' Glycera/ As we have already 
seen, Delia's real name was Plania. She seems to have been 
a simple and beautiful woman in spite of all her superficiality. 
Nemesis, on the contrary, appears as mercenary and avari- 
cious but extremely fascinating. The characters of the two 
women are reflected in the manner of Tibullus's love for 
them. He feels for Delia a 'sincere affection, capable of 
rational expression, while Nemesis seems to have aroused in 
him a fiercer but less enduring passion. 

1 If we accept Baehrens's conjecture (cf. p. xxv, Note 6). 

2 His love for the country is a fixed, steady preference and not like that of Propertius, 
merely a desire for relief from the gayety of the city. 

3 Cf. Tib., i, 3. 4 Cf. Tib., i, 7. 



IXTRODUCTIOX. XXV11 

From the statement of Ovid 1 and the epigram of Domitius 
Marsiis, we learn that Tibnllus died almost at the same time 
with Vergil — that is, toward the close of B.C. 19. 

23. Tibullus is the most gentle of all the poets of Rome, a 
man of peace, not of war, a lover of nature and the country, 
not of fashion and the city, reposeful rather than energetic. 
The vein of melancholy that runs through his poetry and 
his tendency to fondle the anticipation of death, in so far as 
this is not merely the conventional role of the elegist, may 
find their explanation in a w r eak physical constitution. The 
real elevation of his love, its almost chivalric nature, and 
its thoughtfulness for the happiness of its object point to 
a fundamental purity of character certainly not excelled 
among the Roman poets of love. 

24. Tibullus was a thorough aristocrat ; exclusive in his 
intimacies, he occupied probably a higher position socially 
than any of the poets who were his contemporaries, with the 
possible exception of Gallns. It is hard to realize that he 
was looked up to by Horace, who was about eleven years his 
senior. That Ovid, who was eleven years his junior, should 
have done so, too, seems natural enough. Horace valued his 
literary judgment, and Ovid lamented that death put an end 
to their friendship before it was fully developed. It seems 
probable that Tibullus knew Propertius, who was five years his 
junior. Vergil was sixteen years his senior, but the word 
' comes ' as used in the epigram upon Tibullus's death may 
indicate that they knew each other. It is notable that he 
mentions none of these men. Our knowledge of his friend- 
ships (except that for Messalla) comes in every case from the 
other side. 2 

25. There has come down to us under the name of Tibullus 
a collection of poems arranged in the manuscripts in three 

1 Tr , iv, io, 51. 

2 This condition of affairs may be purely accidental; some scholars see in it a deeper 
meaning, an indication of his preeminent social position. But this theory recoils upon 
• : self, for not even Augustus is mentioned by him. 



XXV111 INTRODUCTION. 

books, which most modern editors have divided into four by 
cutting the third book into two parts. 1 These poems are 
the work of at least three writers besides Tibullus. The 
bond of unity seems to lie in the fact that these authors were 
all connected with the circle of Messalla. Books I and II 
are certainly from the pen of Tibullus, and in Book iv poems 
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 13, 14, are also his. 2 Book I consists of ten 
poems 3 and was published by Tibullus himself, probably 
about B.C. 27. Book n, which contains six poems, was 
written later than Book I, and was published by Tibullus's 
friends after his death. 4 Of the poems by Tibullus in Book 
IV, ISTos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, deal with the love of Sulpicia, and are 
therefore closely connected with ]N T os. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 
Sulpicia's own poems. 5 Finally, in iv, 13 and 14, while 
rightly ascribed to Tibullus, present no clue as to their date. 
26. An examination of the opening poem of either the first 
or the second book discloses the four motifs which are forever 
recurring in Tibullus's poetry — the eulogy of Messalla, the 
praises of the country, the expression of love whether incar- 
nate in Delia or in Nemesis, and the veneration for all that is 
antique and quaint, all that concerns the past, especially the 
surviving remnants of ancient Roman religious rites and 
customs. Apart from Tibullus's own natural conservatism, 
the influence of Augustus is accountable for the last of these 
themes. His friendship with Messalla, his life in Rome, and 
the recollection of his boyhood passed on the farm are the 
sources of the other three. The style is in harmony with 

1 It is undoubtedly to be regretted that this departure from the manuscript ' three- 
book division ' was ever made, but a return to it now (as Hiller does in his edition, Leipsic, 
1885) is still more to be regretted, as introducing a confusion into the system of citation, 
similar to that which has created such havoc in the case of Propertius. 

2 The writers of the other poems are discussed below, § 43. 

3 The number is scarcely accidental. Vergil had set the fashion with his tsn Bucolics 
in b.c. 39, and Horace had published ten Satires in b.c. 35. 

4 The proof of this is found not only in the evidently unpolished character of these six 
poems, but much more forcibly in a passage of Ovid (Am., in, 9, 55 seq.; see the Note on 
the passage). 

5 Cf. below, § 43. 



INTRODUCTION. XXIX 

the subject matter. It is simple and direct, at times almost 
naive. He is not afraid to use the immemorial common- 
places of pathos, and yet a certain realistic originality is often 
apparent. Perhaps the greatest charm of his writing lies in its 
quaint touches — for example, the soldier illustrating his story 
by dipping his finger in the wine-drops and drawing a camp 
on the table/ or the grandfather talking ' baby-talk* to his 
grandson. 3 His vocabulary is small, but carefully chosen. 
Greek words are few, and colloquial expressions, so common 
in Catullus, are rare. In ,his use of verbs he is extremely 
conservative, using only in their proper and literal meanings 
many verbs which in his day were frequently employed 
metaphorically. Tibullus is a master in the art of placing 
words in such positions as to bring out strong contrasts. To 
read him without constantly noticing the order of the words 
is to lose a great part of the beauty of his verse. The 
structure of the poems is, in the main, simple ; there are 
very few of the complicated responsions so characteristic of 
Catullus and Horace. Long digressions are not uncommon; 
occasionally they seem thoroughly irrelevant. The simplicity 
of his thought is so completely reflected in the mechanism of 
his expression that he is enabled in a large degree to carry out 
what is known as the £ law of the distich/ i.e. the completion 
of the sense within the couplet, and the avoidance of running 
the thought over into the next distich. This very simplicity 
has proved a bane to him, in that it has rendered the trans- 
position of distichs so easy a matter that many critics have 
found it more economical of labor to rebuild the poem after 
their own fashion than to follow the thought of Tibullus and 
preserve the traditional order. 

27. Tibullus is more thoroughly Roman and less Alex- 
andrian than either Propertius or Ovid. His writings are 
almost free from the chief characteristic of Alexandrian 
poetry, abstruse erudition manifested especially in the heap- 

1 Tib., i, 10, 31. 2 Tib., n, 5, 93. 



XXX USTTBODUCTIOK. 

ing up of mythological parallels. He may thus be said to 
represent a form of pre- Alexandrian elegy transplanted to 
Eoman soil in much the same way that Horace represents 
the pre-Alexandrian lyric in Borne. This similarity of atti- 
tude may account for the sympathy between them which led 
Horace to address Tibnllus as candide index, ' fair-minded 
critic/ In spite of its gentle unobtrusive ness, his genius did 
not fail to gain the appreciation of his generation. Ovid, his 
younger contemporary, says l donee eruntignes areusque Cupi- 
dinis anna \ discentur numeri, culte Tibulle, tui. His glory 
had not yet departed fifty years later when Velleius Paterculus, 
referring to him and Ovid, wrote 2 : Tibullusque et Naso, per- 
fectissimi in forma operis sui. More than a century had 
passed since his death, when that most conservative of 
literary critics, Quintilian, wrote his famous criticism 3 : 
cuius {— elegiae) mild terms atque elegans maxime videtur 
meet or Tibullns. This popularity did not, however, con- 
tinue during the Middle Ages. Apart from an entry in a 
library catalogue of the ninth century, ' Albi Tibulli libri n/ 4 
we have no trace of him up to the beginning of the fourteenth 
century. The first important- text is that of Scaliger 5 and 
the first really critical edition is that of Lachmann. 6 

Sextus Propertius. 

28. Any sketch of the life of Propertius is in the main 
merely the editing of a very fragmentary 6 autobiography/ for 
there is practically no source of information other than his 



1 Am., 1, 15, 27. 

2 11, 36, 3. 

3 Inst. OraL, x, i, 93. 

4 Cf . M. Haupt, Opuscula, in, 42G. 

6 Paris, 1577 (with Catullus and Propertius). His father, Julius Caesar Scaliger, the 
physician, gives an opinion of Tibullus which is not devoid of interest (Poetices, vi, cap. 
7) : urdformis ilia paene totus est, vixque discedens db se ipso eodem paenegyro concludi- 
tur. Audis enim casas,focos, rura nemora, praela, spicas, sacra turn saepe turn multum. 
Omnium vero cidtissimus, nee redundans in elegia. , 

6 B:rlin, 1829. 



INTRODUCTION. XXXI 

own writings. 1 Suetonius must surely have treated of him, 
but scarcely a trace of what he said has been preserved 2 to us. 
It is not to be wondered at, then, that the time and place of his 
birth, and even his name, are disputed. Sextus Propertius — 
for that seems to have been his name 3 — was younger than 
Tibullns and older than Ovid. He was born, therefore, after 
B.C. 54 and before B.C. 43 ; we may say, roughly, about the 
year B.C. 49. We have his own testimony that he was born 
in Umbria, 4 but no less than four Umbrian towns claim the 
honor of being his birthplace — Assisi, Mevania, Ameria, and 
Spello (ancient Hispellum). The question would seem to be 
settled by Lachmarm's brilliant conjectural restoration of iv, 
i, 125 : scandentisque Asisi consurgit verticemnrus, \ murus 
db ingenio notior ille tuo. 5 Added proof is given in the fact 

1 Cf . especially the last poem of the first book and the first poem of the last book 
(Prop., i, 22, and iv, i). On the question whether Propertius should be divided into four 
books or five, recent editors are about 'tied,' Mueller and Vahlen adopting the five-book 
system, Baehrens and Rothstein the four-book system. In the interest of uniformity of 
citation, a speedy decision and agreement are much to be desired. Throughout this edition 
the four-book division has been employed. This seems to me the only rational one, for it 
is in agreement with the manuscripts and with the quotation of Nonius (p. 249, Mueller) : 
Propertius elegiarum lib. in, iam liquidum nautls aura secundat iter (=Prop., in, 21, 
14. Mueller has, however, inserted the conjecture mi in the text). The division into five 
books by cutting Book n into two parts, between poems 9 and 10, originated with Lach- 
mann. In justification it is maintained (1) that Bk. 11 of the MSS. is too long (in reply we" 
may equally well say that Lachmann's Bk. 11 is too short) ; (2) that poem 10 is addressed 
to Augustus, hence must have- been the opening poem of a book (but this is a danger- 
ous criterion to generalize on) ; (3) that 11, 13, 25, 26 (of the MSS.) speaks of ires libelli, 
an expression which would be more appropriate in Bk. in, but compare my Note on the 
passage. 

2 Apuleius's statement that Cynthia's real name was Hostia may be a trace of Sue- 
tonius. 

3 lie calls himself Propertius some eight times (11, 8, 17 ; 11, 14, 27 ; 11, 24, 35 ; 11, 34, 
93 ; in. 3, 17 ; in, 10, 15 ; iv, 1, 71 ; iv, 7, 49); Sextus rests entirely on the authority of 
Donatus (vita Verg., 45). The name Propertius Aurelius Nauta^ which occurs in a num- 
ber of manuscripts, has a curious history. Aurelius seems to have arisen from a confu- 
sion in an alphabetically arranged list of authors, by which the Aurelius which properly 
belonged to Aurelius Prudentins came to be connected with Propertius, the name before 
it on the list. Nauta is a misreading of 11, 24, 38 : nobilis et quamvishaud ita dives eras, 
where hand ita was corrupted into navita, i.e. nauta. The last act of this comedy was 
reached when certain inscriptions were forged l. avrelio propertio, etc., and sext. 
AviiEL. propert, etc. Cf. M. Haupt, Opuscula, 1, 280. 

4 Cf. 1. 22, 9 ; iv, i, 64, 121. 

6 The MSS. have a&zs (FN) and axis (DV) ; the only objection that can be urged 



XXX11 INTRODUCTION. 

that there was found at Assisi an inscription to a certain 
Passenus Paulhis Propertius, 1 a contemporary of Pliny, 
whom the latter calls a townsman of the poet. 2 Propertius 
was of good provincial family, originally possessed of prop- 
erty, which he lost in the allotment of lands to the veterans 
in B.C. 41. 3 The chief event of his boyhood seems to have 
been the siege of Perusia, where a relative \ Gallus, was 
killed. Like many another poet since his day he began to 
study law, but finding it uncongenial gave it up and devoted 
himself to the pursuit of literature. 5 Unlike Gallus, Tibullns, 
and Horace, he does not seem to have taken part in any 
military campaigns. At the age of fifteen or sixteen he fell 
in love with a woman named Lycinna. 6 But this fascina- 
tion was of short duration, and was succeeded in B.C. 30 or 
29 by the great passion of his life, his love for Cynthia, an 
attachment which lasted for five years. 7 Of this Cynthia 
we know little save that her real name was Hostia. 8 It was 

against Lachmann's conjecture is that the first syllable of Asisium is usually long, while 
here it would be short. But in proper names change of quantity is not uncommon (cf., 
however, Ramsay, In trod., p. xxxv). 

1 CIL., xi, 5405=Dessau, Inscript. Sel., i, 2925 : c. passenno c. f. serg. pavllo pro- 

PERTIO BLAESO. 

2 Plin., Ej)., vi, 15 : est enini municeps Properti atque inter maiores suos Propertium 
numerat. 

3 Cf. Prop., iy, i, 129, 130 : nam tua cum multi versarent rura iuvenci, \ abstulit 
excultas pertica tristis opes ; and n, 34, 55 : adspice me, cut parva domi fortuna 
relictas. 

4 Cf. 1, 21 and 22. Sellar (Roman Poets, Horace, etc., p. 227) thinks Gallus was his 
uncle. 

5 Cf. Prop., iv, 1, 133, 134 : turn tibi pauca suo de carmine dictat Apollo \ et vetat in- 
sano verba tonareforo. 

6 Prop., in, 15, 6, 43. 

7 Prop., in, 24, 23. Whether the 'five years ' includes the periods of separation and 
estrangement (cf. e.g. in, 16, 9) is difficult to decide ; it is not, however, of great impor- 
tance. Plessis (Etudes, p. 224 ff.) thinks that it does ; Lachmann (Prop. Carm., Leipsic, 
1816, Praef., p. 23 ff.) thinks it does not. 

8 This statement seems very meagre when contrasted with the detailed accounts usually 
given in commentaries on Propertius and in histories of Roman literature. But these 
descriptions are based on material which is doubly untrustworthy, first because much 
that Propertius tells us may be nothing more than poetic fiction, in which respect, as I 
have pointed out above (§ 18) Cynthia is much less historic than Lesbia ; secondly, we 
have no guarantee that Propertius is always referring to Cynthia unless he specifically 
mentions her name. But her name is mentioned far less often than is supposed, especially 



INTRODUCTION. XXX111 

Cynthia that made him a ' stay-at-home ' and kept him from 
accompanying Tullus to Athens 1 ; it was Cynthia that made 
him write of lovers' quarrels rather than of the glories of 
Augustus's reign. Yet his success at the latter task, when 
he attempted it, is so great that we might almost feel as 
though we owed Cynthia a grudge ; but, after all, it was in 
the man, and if Cynthia had not been there, some Lesbia 
or Delia or Corinna would have taken her place. The time 
and the fashion of Propertius's death are unknown to us, but 
it seems probable that he died about B.C. 16, which is the 
latest date referred to in his poetry. 2 

29. It was Cynthia who inspired his first book. The ' Cyn- 
thia Monobiblos ' — for so it seems to have been called 3 — was 
published alone about the same time as the first book of 
Tibullus, B.C. 27, 4 when the poet was twenty-one or twenty- 
two years old. It is dedicated to a certain Tullus, 6 probably 
the nephew of a Lucius Volcatius Tullus who was consul in 



seldom in the latter books (in Bk. i, in 13 poems out of 22 ; Bk. 11, in 12 out of 34 ; Bk. 
in, in 2 out of 24; Bk. iv, in 2 out of 11). A casein point, illustrating the danger of 
neglecting this caution, is the story that Cynthia-Hostia was the grand-daughter of a 
certain Hostius who wrote an epic, the Bellum Histricum, celebrating the exploits of 
Sempronius Tuditanus (b.c. 125). The only foundation for this combination is Prop., 
in, 20, 8 : splendidaque a docto fama refulget avo^ but there is no mention of Cynthia's 
name in the whole poem. 

1 Prop., i, 6. 

2 In it, ii, 65 there is a reference to the consulship of P. Cornelius Scipio (b.c. 16) and 
in iy, 6, 77 he probably refers to a victory over the Sigambri in the same year (cf . Note 
on the passage). 

3 This is a fair deduction from the fact that Propertius seems to refer to Bk. i as 
'Cynthia 1 (cf. n, 24, 2 : et tua sit toto Cynthia lecta foro), and Martial calls it 'Monobi- 
blos Properti,' and writes of it (Mart., xiv, 189) : Cynthia, facundi carmen iuvenale Pro- 
perti 1 accepit famam, nee minus ipsa dedit. Finally, the title occurs in some of the 
MSS. (AF.) : incipit monobiblos Propertii, etc. 

4 This date may be arrived at in two ways : First, in 11, 3, 34 he says Bk. 11 appeared 
within a very short time after Bk. 1 ; but Bk. 11 can be dated, as is shown below, at the 
end of b.c. 27 or the beginning of b.c. 26 ; accordingly, Bk. 1 was written in b.c. 27. 
Second, the date of Bk. in is almost certainly b.c. 22 (see below) ; but in m, 24, 23 he 
speaks of his passion for Cynthia having lasted five years. It began therefore in b.c. 27; 
and Bk. 1, which was written at the beginning of this relationship, must be dated about 
b.c. 27. 

6 The opening and the closing poems of the book are dedicated to him, and in ad- 
dition poems 6 and 14. For the details of his life, cf. Note on 1, 1, 9. 



XXXIV INTRODUCTION. 

B.C. 33. Propertius seems to have been almost unknown/ 
and in the last poem he introduces himself to the public. If 
he wrote the book with the desire to become known, his wish 
was abundantly fulfilled, for it won him the friendship and 
patronage of Maecenas, through whom he came into touch 
with Augustus. Shortly after this, probably in the same 
year, he published a second book. 2 Five years later (b.c. 
22 or 21) 3 came the third book. The relationship to Cyn- 
thia is past ; she begins to play a very minor part in his 
poetry, and he turns to more earnest themes. About the 
same number of years passed between this and the last book. 
During this interval he was devoting himself to the study 
of Eoman customs. The last book, containing the results 
of these investigations, was published about B.C. 16/ most 
certainly during the lifetime of the poet, as the special intro- 
ductory poem conclusively proves. Cynthia has passed out 
of his life ; the fiction is nearly dead, as well as the woman 
who incorporated it ; she is mentioned only a propos of a 
comic recollection, in poem 8, and of the appearance of her 
ghost, in poem 7. 

30. If Propertius's writings had perished, and we were, 
as in the case of Gallus, dependent on what his contempora- 
ries and successors told us of him, we should be greatly at a 
loss, for among all the writings of his contemporaries his 
name occurs only in Ovid. 5 On the other hand, he himself 
mentions contemporary poets, apart from his friends Ponticus 
and Bassus, only in one place, 6 and there, of those who were 



1 He mentions, however, among his associates, Ponticus and Bassus, two friends of 
Ovid. Cf. Ovid, Tr., iv, 10, 47, 48 : Ponticus heroo, Bassus quoque clarus iambis \ dul- 
cia convictus membra fuere met. 

2 ii, 34, 91 refers to the poet Gallus, who died in b.c. 27, as modo mortuus, hence the 
book must have been published at the end of b.c 27 or the beginning of b.c 26. 

3 in, 18 is on the death of Marcellus, which occurred in b.c 23. 

4 Cf. Note 125, above. Accordingly, the dating of the four books may be summarized 
as follows : Bk. i, circa b.c 27 (cf. n, 3, 3, 4 ; in, 24, 23) ; Bk. 11, circa b.c 27-26 (cf. n, 
34, 91) ; Bk. in, circa b.c 22 (cf. in, 18) ; Bk. iv, circa b.c 16 (cf. iv, n, 65 and iv, 6, 77). 

5 7V., iv, 10, 45, 53 ; v, 1, 17.; cf. 11, 465. 

6 11, 34, 61 ff . 



INTRODUCTION". XXXV 

strictly contemporary, only Gallus and Vergil. He never 
mentions Tibullus or Horace or Ovid, and yet he must have 
known them. The absence of Tibullus's name is scarcely 
surprising. The two men were too different in their literary 
tastes to have had much sympathy, and Tibullus was too 
great a personage to be intimate with Propertius, and too 
small to be his patron ; besides, he belonged to Messalla's 
circle, and Propertius to that of Maecenas. With Ovid and 
Horace the case is different. Propertius's friends, Ponticus 
and Bassus, were also friends of Ovid ; and Ovid boasts ex- 
pressly of being intimate with him, and hearing him read his 
elegies 1 ; and that he was well acquainted with his verse 
Ovid's own works show. 2 The difference in age may help 
to account for Propertius'' s silence, for when he wrote II, 34, 
Ovid was only sixteen years old, and could hardly be men- 
tioned in the company of Vergil and Gallus. The absence of 
all references to each other in Horace and Propertius has 
always been a puzzle, and has given rise to some strange the- 
ories. They were undoubtedly acquainted, belonged, in fact, 
to the same circle — that of Maecenas. The simplest and more 
likely explanation seems to be that they were not attracted 
to each other ; their characters were very different, and they 
had little else but their patron in common. It was Horace's 
task to introduce the older, more classical poetry of Greece 
to Eoman audiences, while Propertius boasted of being the 
Eoman Callimachus. The strangest suggestion is that Pro- 
pertius was the bore the encounter with whom is the theme of 
one of the most clever of Horace's satires 3 ; but aside from 
the inherent improbability, Propertius was only about four- 
teen years old when this book of satires was published. It 



1 Tr.. iv. 10, 45 : saepe suos solitus recitare Propertius ignes | iure sodaliti'i, quo mild 
iunctus erat. 

2 Cf. especially A. Zingerle, Ovid und seine Vorgdnger, Innsbruck, 1869. 

3 Sat.,i,g. This suggestion was first made by Vulpius in the eighteenth century. 
For a criticism of it, cf. Palmer's edition of the Satires, p. 219. 



XX XVI INTRODUCTION. 

is barely possible that Horace had Propertius in mind when 
he wrote carmina compono, hie elegos. 1 

31. The composition and publication of Propertius's four 
books extended over more than ten years. Accordingly, it is 
quite natural that they should show a decided development, 
and that the boy of twenty who wrote the first book should have 
sounded a different note from the man of thirty who wrote 
Book iv. This development can be traced not only in the 
style, but even more obviously in the choice of subject mat- 
ter. The theme of the first book is love : every one of its 
twenty-two poems sings of it except the last two, xxi being 
addressed to his uncle and xxn being about himself. The 
second book is not very different, except that in two poems 
(i and x) he seems to feel that an apology is necessary, and in 
xxxi, the description of the Palatine temple of Apollo, we 
have the first indication that he was interested in the national 
greatness of Rome. These first two books were published so 
close together that we could expect no great development, 
but the last two books present a different picture. In Book 
in the influence of the five-year interval is unmistakable. 
His admiration for Rome's national glory has begun to 
demand expression : in, 4 is on the Parthian expedition ; 
in, 11 is on the triumph over Cleopatra, and III, 22 is in 
praise of Italy. The sorrows of others are becoming his 
own; the death of Marcellus calls forth in, 18; that of 
Paetus in, 7 ; and even when he deals with his own affairs, 
it is in quite a different spirit from that manifested in the 
first two books. He cheerfully plans a trip to Athens, III, 
21, and jokingly deplores the loss of his writing-tablets, in, 
23, with almost as much flippancy as Ovid. After the 
lapse of another five years comes Book iv, whose open- 
ing poem contains the programme for the fulfilment of his 
new ideal, to describe the old sacred places of Rome and tell 

1 Ep., ii, 2, 91. Cf. J. P. Postgate, Select Elegies of Propertius, p. xxxn. As this 
epistle was written about b.c. 18, Propertius would have been over thirty years old at the 
time. 



INTRODUCTION. XXXV11 

their stories. 1 An old image of Vertumnus in the Vicus 
Tuscns calls out iv, 2 ; Tarpeia, the heroine of the Tarpeian 
Hill, is woven into a romance in IV, 4 ; the Palatine temple of 
Apollo, already the subject of one poem (11, 31), is again 
treated in iv, 6 ; certain peculiar rites obtaining at the great- 
altar of Hercules in the cattle-market is the theme of iv, 9 ; 
and TV, 10 tells the story of the Spolia Opima and explains 
why Juppiter was called Feretrius. As in the third book, 
the people about him are of interest to him : iv, 3 is a letter 
of a certain Arethusa to her husband Lycotas ; and IV, 11 is a 
sublime elegy on the death of Cornelia. In the whole book 
there are but three poems (5, j, 8) which remind us of the 
first two books. 

32. Propertius repeatedly professes himself a follower of 
Callimachus and Philetas/ but inasmuch as their poetry has 
not been preserved we can scarcely hope to institute a com- 
parison^ unless Egypt shall restore to us some of their writings. 
His indebtedness to his predecessors in Eome is difficult to 
trace, especially in regard to Catullus 3 and Tibullus. 4 There 
are several instances in which his phraseology seems to have 
been influenced- by Vergil, 5 and we are still more often re- 
minded of Horace. 6 The style of Propertius impresses one 
with a great sense of power ; it seems as though he might 
have accomplished almost anything. But the power is 1111- 

1 He is in this the forerunner of Ovid in the 'Fasti,' but Ovid's principle of arrange- 
ment is chronological (in this he maybe following the M^ve? of Simmias of Rhodes), 
while that of Propertius is topographical. 

2 The references are given above. § 7. 

3 Cf. especially H. Magnus in Fleckeisen's Jahibiicher, cxv, 418. 

4 Cf. A. Zingerle, Ovid und seine Vorgdnger. 

5 Cf. M. Pothstein in Hermes, xxiv, 1. The principal parallels are : Prop., in, 13, 41 : 
clique deaeque omnes. quibus est tutela per agios j and Verg., &., 1, 21 : dique deaeque 
omnes. studium quibus arva ten en ; Prop., in, 24, 15 : ecce coronatae portum tetigere cari- 
nas j and Verg., G., 1, 303, 304 : ceu pressae cum iam portum tetigere carinae j puppibus 
et laeti nautae inposuere coronas ; and, in general, Prop., ni, 5, 25-46, and Verg., G.. 11, 
475-486. 

6 The most striking instances are : Prop., 11, 24, 17 : hoc erat in primis ; and Hor., #., 
11, 6, 1 : hoc erat in votis ; Prop., in, 23, 23 : i puer et citus haec aliqua propone columna ; 
and Hor., S., 1, 10, 100 : i puer atque meo citus haec subscribe libello ; and, in general, 
Prop., ni, 2, 17-22, and Hor., C, in, 30, 1-5. 



XXXV111 INTRODUCTION". 

controlled ; no reasonable restraint is put upon it ; its only 
hindrance is the great mass of mythological learning with 
which he weights himself down. This mythological tendency 
is his greatest curse. But here we must not be unjust to 
him, and must distinguish between the quality and the 
quantity of his mythological allusions. It is customary to 
take him to task in both these respects, but only in the 
matter of quantity is there just ground for complaint, while 
the quality of his allusions, their recondite character, ought 
not to be emphasized in the indictment against him. That 
the public, for whom he wrote, were acquainted with these 
lesser versions of the myths may be most easily seen by 
examining the subjects represented in the paintings at 
Pompeii — paintings intended for the decoration of the living- 
rooms. 

33. Perhaps Propertius's rarest gift was his power of 
using words. For him, as for Carlyle, language was still 
warm from the making ; it was there to be twisted into new 
shapes, and old-fashioned words fitted with new meanings. 
Another great secret of his power lies in his economical use 
of materials to produce dramatic effects. His is the poetry 
of suggestive allusion, the expression of an age which was 
suffering from hyperculture, to whom all chords were fa- 
miliar — all poetic metaphors, truisms, and platitudes. His 
poems fairly bristle with suggestions the carrying out of 
which is left to the reader. But even this was abused ; so 
that a too great conciseness and an uncomfortable abruptness 
resulted. What Macaulay said of Thucydides is true of 
him — to understand him we need a commentary rather than 
a lexicon. 

34. To appreciate the character of Propertius we must 
think of him as a hot-blooded, affectionate Italian, dying at 
the age of thirty-three, never having reached his full develop- 
ment, hampered by falling too early a prey to the allurements 
of a woman older than himself, living in abject slavery to 
one who taught him to be untrue to her by being untrue to 



INTRODUCTION. XXXIX 

him. Add to this the picture of a thin, wan face, a small 
stature, a sickly body, a nervous disposition, a constant dread 
of premature death, a mood wavering between the ecstasies 
of a seething passion and a melancholy which drove him to 
dictate his epitaph and give directions for his funeral. 

35. Propertius's genius was not unappreciated. Ovid 1 
praises him as tener and tlandi oris, Martial, 2 to be sure, 
dubs him lascivus, but calls him facundus as well, and 
Quintilian, 3 Martial's contemporary, tells us that there were 
those who preferred him to all other elegists. The best proof 
of his immediate popularity is found in the frequent recur- 
rence of quotations from him in the inscriptions of Pompeii. 4 
He was too obscure a writer to find favor in the Middle Ages, 
and the first reference to him in modern times is by Petrarch, 
who possessed a manuscript of him. 5 As in the case of Tibul- 
lus, Scaliger 6 produced the first notable edition and Lach- 
mann 7 the first critical text. 

Publius Ovidius Naso. 

36. Of all Eoman writers, Cicero and Ovid are most given 
to speaking of themselves. Accordingly we know more 
about the details of the life of Ovid than of any other Eoman, 
with the single exception of Cicero. Apart from constant 
references to himself in his other works, he has given us in 
the 'Tristia' 8 a formidable poetical autobiography of over 
a hundred verses. He was born March 20, B.C. 43, at 
Sulmo in the territory of the Paeligni. 9 His parents, 

1 A. A., in, 333 ; Tr., v, i, 17. 

2 viii, 73, 1 ; xiv, 189. 

3 Inst Or at., x, i, 93. 

4 Cf. CIL., iv, 1894 = Prop., iv, 5, 47 ff.; 1850 = Prop., m, 16, 13 ff. With 1520 
( = Buecheler. AL., 11, 354), cf. Prop., 1, 1, 5 ; and with 1118 add. p. 203 ( = Buecheler, 
AL., 952), cf. Prop., ill, 23, 6. 

6 Cf. M. Haupt, Opusc, 1, p. 277 ff. 

6 Paris, 1577 (with Catullus and Tibullus). 

7 Leipsic, 1816, with commentary. Text only, Berlin, 1829. 

6 IV. IO. 

9 7>., iv, 10, 6 : cum ceciditfato consul uterque pari ; cf. below, § 43. 



xl INTRODUCTION. 

well-to-do people of equestrian rank, had an older son who 
died at the age of twenty. Ovid's poetical gifts showed 
themselves when he was still very young, and he says that 
when he studied rhetoric his- speeches ran into verse. 1 His 
parents destined him for a public career, and to this end lie 
began to study law, but after holding certain minor offices, 
the lowest steps in the ■ cursus honorum/ 2 he abandoned this 
pursuit and devoted himself exclusively to poetry. At some 
time during these early years he made a foreign tour in com- 
pany with Macer 3 to Athens, Sicily, and Asia Minor. After 
being twice married and twice divorced, he married Fabia, 
a widow with a daughter, who was faithful to him to the end. 
We hear of but one child of his own, a daughter, who was 
herself twice married. After enjoying a marvellous popularity 
as a poet for nearly thirty years, he was suddenly, in a.d. 8, 
banished by Augustus's decree to Tomis on the Black Sea, 
not, however, as 'deportatus/ but only as 'relegatus/ so that 
his property was not confiscated, bat he fell into such dis- 
repute that all his writings were removed from the public 
libraries of Rome. The cause of this banishment was, on his 
own assertion, 'duo crimina, carmen et error/ The 'car- 
men' was the ' Ars Amatoria/ but as this had been written 
some ten years before, there must have been another and im- 
mediate cause. The second and direct cause, the ' error/ 
has always been somewhat of a mystery. It seems to have 
been a personal, not a political, offence against Augustus, 
and it was in what he had seen 4 that his wrong-doing lay. 
It has been conjectured, with a high degree of probability, 
thai: his banishment was connected with a court scandal, the 

1 Sen., Contr., n, 10, 8 : oratlo eius iam turn nihil aiiud jooterat videri quam solutum 
carmen. 

2 He was twice a ' xx vir ' : (onco a l in vir capitalis ' and once a ' x vir stlitibus indi- 
candis 1 ), and besides this, a member of the Centnmviral court and a civil judge. 

3 This Macer is to be distinguished from Aemilius Macer, the didactic poet and friend 
of Vergil. 

4 Tr., ii, 103 : cur aliquid vidi, cur noxia lumina feci! Tr., in, 5, 49 : inscia quod 
crimen viderunt lumina plector \ peccatumque oculos est habuisse meum ,* and TV*., in, 6, 
27 : nee breve nee tutum, quo sint mea, dicere, casu \ lumina funesti conscia facta mali. 



I^TKODUCTIOX. xli 

intrigue of Augustus's grand-daughter Julia with Decimus 
Silanus. Julia was banished in the same year,, and Silanus 
went of his own accord into exile. For about nine years 
Ovid lived at Tomis, dividing his time between writing 
lamentations to his friends at home and appeals to the 
emperor for pardon and the more healthful occupation of 
studying the language and the customs of the natives. 1 
Once it seemed not impossible that he would be recalled, but 
just then Augustus died, and from Tiberius he could hope 
for nothing. 2 Iu a. d. 18 he died, and was buried at Tomi. 

37. Ovid's literary career extended over a period of about 
forty years. His love-poetry belongs to the first two decades, 
the time between B.C. 19 and a.d. 1 or 2, or, measured in years 
of his own life, between the age of twenty-four and forty- 
four. To the next decade, the first of the Christian era, 
belong his mythological poems, the c Metamorphoses ' and 
the specifically Eoman -'Fasti/' This period was cut short 
by his banishment, which gave the tone to the poetry of his 
last period, his letters from exile — the ' Tristia ' and the 'Ex 
Ponto/ the works of a broken man in a premature old age. 

38. We are interested here in the poetry of the first period. 
Five works of erotic poetry have been preserved from his 
pen ; arranged in chronological order, they are the 'Amores/ 
the ' Heroic! es/ the treatise * DeMedicamine Faciei/ the ' Ars 
Amatoria,' and the ' Eemedia Amoris.' It is with the first of 
these that we have to do. The * Aniores/ in its original 
form of five books, seems to have been the poet's earliest 
published work. Later, after writing the * Heroides/ he 
revised it, reducing it to three books. 3 It is this second 
edition in three books that has come down to us. The 

1 He even wrote poems in the language — had they been preserved to as, they would be 
more valuable, considered from a philological standpoint, than all of his writings that 
have come down to us. 

2 P., iv, 6, 15. 16 : coeperat Augustus deceptae ignoscere culpae j spem nostram terras 
deseruitque simul. 

3 Cf . the introductory epigram. A??i., n, iS, 21 refers to the nereides as already 
£ ished. 



xlii INTRODUCTION. 

earliest date which can be extracted from any of the poems 
in the extant collection is that for in, g, written shortly 
after Tibullus's death (b.c. 19). On the other hand, the whole 
collection in the second edition was published before the 
' Ars Amatoria,' i.e. before B.C. 2 or l. 1 

39. The heroine of Ovid's verse is Coriima, but Corinnais 
as different from Delia or Cynthia as the poetry that sings 
her praises is from that of Tibullus or Propertins. The 
' Amores' is the product of art, not of feeling, and though 
there may well be a certain foundation of fact, it is in the 
main fanciful, and contains abundant recollections of motifs 
that are common in Greek epigrams and in the late comedy, 
as well as in the verse of Tibullus and Propertius. In like 
manner, Corinna was a lay-figure rather than flesh and blood. 
The difficulty that contemporaries experienced in discover- 
ing her identity is thus easily comprehended. 

40. The ' Amores ' presents us with the starting-points for 
almost all of Ovid's late development. Thus, the poem on 
the 'races' (in, 2) contains in embryo the 'Ars Amatoria,' 
the soliloquy of the river (in, 6) is the germ of the ' Meta- 
morphoses,' and the account of the festival of Juno at Falerii 
(in, 13) is the forerunner of the 'Fasti.' In point of style 
the ' Amores ' is worthy of comparison with any of his other 
works ; his later writings, those from Tomi, are greatly 
inferior. Outwardly, but only in what concerns the external 
form, he is a follower of Tibullus ; there is the same striving 
after smoothness and perfection of metre, in which, however, 
Ovid is even more successful. His fondness for the elegiac 
metre needs no stronger attestation than the fact that he 
used it almost constantly, except in the ' Metamorphoses/ 
even in a poem like the ' Ibis/ where iambics were properly 
in order, or in the 'Fasti,' where we should certainly expect 
hexameters. He is especially fond of dactyls, and devotes 

1 While engaged in writing the 'Amores ' he was also at work on the ' Ars Amatoria, 1 
cf. Am., 11, 18, 19: quod licet, aid artes teneri profit emur Amoris. But the 'Amores' 
was published first ; cf. A. A., in, 343 : libris, titulo quos signat Amorum. 



INTRODUCTION. xliii 

great care to the end of the verse. The ( fatal fluency 9 is 
less manifest in the 'Amores 3 than in his later works. 

41. If we may trust his own accounts, Ovid's life in Borne 
up to his banishment was one of almost unparalleled popu- 
larity. He enjoyed the patronage of Messalla, the acquain- 
tance of Tibullus, and the friendship of Propertius, in addition 
to that of minor poets — Macer, Ponticus, Bassus, and others. 
His morals were probably not beyond reproach; he finds it 
necessary to defend himself against the charge that the char- 
acter he gave himself in his writings was his actual one in 
real life. 1 In things spiritual he is thoroughly irreverent ; 
his own religious views were an extreme rationalistic utilita- 
rianism — expedit esse deos, et, ut expedite esse putemus.* In 
some respects he reminds one of Byron. The great popular- 
ity of Ovid is, as in the case of Propertius, attested by the 
inscriptions of Pompeii. It was on his power as a love-poet 
that Ovid's reputation among his contemporaries and imme- 
diate successors rested. If we are more apt to think of him 
primarily as the author of the 'Metamorphoses/ that is only 
the survival of a preference felt by the Middle Ages. Vel- 
leius Paterculus 3 mentions him along with Tibullus &sperfec- 
tissimi in forma operis sui, while the staid and respectable 
Quintilian 4 applies to him twice the same adjective that 
Martial uses of Propertius — lascivus. 

Minor Elegists of the Augustan Age. 

42. Besides our knowledge of these four great masters, and 
the possession of the poetry of all but the first, there have come 
down to us certain minor productions in the elegiac metre, 
which, though their authorship is unknown, seem for the 

1 7>., ii, 354. 

2 A. A.. 1,637. 

3 n, 36, 3. 

4 Inst. Orat., x, 1, 88 : lascivus quidem in herois quoque Ovidlus et nimium amator 
ingenii sui, laudandus tamen inpartibus. Ibid., 93 : Oridius utroque (i.e. Tibullus and 
Propertius) lascivior. 



xliv INTRODUCTION. 

most part to belong to the Augustan age. The first of these 
collections is the ' Priapea/ * poems in honor of Priapus, the 
god of gardens and fertility, whose worship had been im- 
ported into Rome from Lampsacns on the Hellespont. An 
individual with rather perverted literary taste seems to have 
made a collection of these poems, copying them from the 
walls of the shrines of Priapus, some time in the first cen- 
tury of our era. 2 Eighty poems have been preserved to us 
in this fashion, besides five through other channels. Thirty- 
four out of the collection of eighty, and two out of the other 
five, or thirty-six out of the collection of eighty-five, are in the 
elegiac metre. They are, however, more akin to the epigram 
than to the elegy, and scarcely concern us here. The poems 
in the other two collections were attracted by the magnetic 
power of two great names ; they are known as the ' Pseudo- 
Vergiliana ' and the ' Pseuclo-Tibulliana/ because they have 
been preserved to us under the shadow of the names of 
Vergil and Tibullus respectively. The so-called Pseudo- 
Vergiliana 3 is a considerable collection of poems of various 
degrees of authenticity, from those which are certainly by 
Vergil down to those which were written long after his 
death. We are concerned only with those in the elegiac 
metre, namely, the ' Copa ' and JSTos. 1, 6, 9-14 of the c Cata- 
lepta/ The ' Copa ' is a genuine elegy; its authorship is 
very uncertain, but it is not impossible that Vergil wrote it. 
The 'Catalepta' partake rather of the nature of epigrams. 4 
The last and, from our point of -view, most important collec- 
tion is the ' Pseudo-Tibulliana/ in which all the poems, 



1 Best edition by Buecheler in his Petronius, ed. min., p. 13? ff. (Berlin, 3d ed., 1895); 
also printed in Baehrens, PLM., I, p. 54 ft", (with a good introduction). 

2 Cf. the second of the epigrams which the editor prefixed to his collection, 11. 9, 10 : 
ergo quicquid id est, quod otiosus \ templi jxirietibus tvi notavi. 

3 Published in Ribbeck's editions of Vergil, in both the larger and the smaller (Teub- 
nerText) edition, and also in Baehrens, PLM., n. 

4 Of the elegiac poems, Nos. 9, 13, and 14 are not by Vergil, while the others may well be 
his. If we could prove that Nos. 6 and 10 were by him, it would be especially interesting, 
because they show strong traces of the influence of Catullus. 



IKTKODUCTION. xlv 

with the exception of the ' Panegyricus/ are written in the 
elegiac metre. They belong, all of them, to the circle of 
Messalla, and are, accordingly, from the Augustan age. 

43. We have already seen that, of the four books which 
pass under his name, Tibullusis the author of I and n and of 
iy, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 13, 14. * It remains to discuss the authorship 
of Book in and of Book iv, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. The author 
of the third book is a man who calls himself Lygdamus. 2 
We know nothing certain of him except what he tells us of 
himself, that he was born in B.C. 43. 3 Neaera, the subject 
of his verse, is a pseudonym, not, as in the case of the other 
elegists, for his mistress, but for his wife, from whom he is 
divorced. The poems are an attempt to bring about a recon- 
ciliation. Lastly, iy, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, is a series of love- 
letters, coming from the hand of a woman, Sulpicia, and 
addressed to a certain Cerintlius. Sulpicia is the niece of 
Messalla., being the daughter of Servius Sulpicius 4 and 
Messalla's sister Valeria. Who Cerintlius was is not known, 
though an attempt has been made to identify him with 
Cornutus of 11, 2 and 3/ There were undoubtedly many 



1 iy, 1, the panegyric on Messalla, does not concern us here, as it is neither by Tibullus 
nor in the elegiac metre. 

2 This is in all probability a fictitious name, and may have been chosen to symbolize 
his dependence upon Tibullus— AuySivo? from AuySo? = albus (cf . Albius Tibullus). 

3 Cf. in, 5, 17, 18 : natalem primo nostrum videre parentes \ cum cecidere fato consul 
uterque pari. Ovid, who was born in the same year, uses in part identically the same 
words (cf. TV., iv, 10, 6) to indicate the date of his own birth. As the l Tristia ' was not 
published till a.d. 12, it is usually considered that the expression was originated with 
Lygdamus and borrowed by Ovid (the identification of Ovid and Lygdamus, which has 
been suggested as another way out of the dilemma, is absurd). The fact that the lines in 
Lygdamus which precede and follow this statement also recur in Ovid tends to render the 
situation even more complicated (Lygd., v, 16 = Ovid, A. A., n, 670 ; Lygd., 19, 20 = Ovid, 
Am., ii, 14, 23, 24). It is at least possible that Lygdamus is the plagiarist in all three 
cases, and that Ovid had used the phrase preserved in TV., iv, io, 6, in some earlier work 
which has been lost ; for instance, in the first edition of the ' Amores.' From this earlier 
source Lygdamus would have obtained it. 

4 This Servius Sulpicius seems to be identical with the man mentioned by Cicero pro 
Murena, 26, 54 ; by Horace, #., 1, 10, 86 ; by Plin., Ep., v, 3, 5, in his list of poets of 
lighter vein ; and, perhaps, by Ovid, TV., n, 441. On his marriage to Valeria and her 
relationship to Messalla, cf. Hieronym. adv. Iovin., 1, 46. 

5 This identification is, however, far from certain : the fact that some interpolated 



xlvi INTRODUCTION. 

other elegies written in this same period, but they are irre- 
trievably lost. Either then or a little later those elegies were 
produced which, Suetonius ' tells us, were passing in his day 
falsely under the name of Horace. Whether Horace ever 
wrote elegies is a question that cannot be answered. 

Post-Augustan Elegy. 

44. The history of the Post-Augustan elegy can be told in 
a few words. It is, perhaps, owing to the influence of Ovid 
that the elegiac metre begins to be used in all kinds of poetry, 
not only in epigrams but in didactic poems, in riddles and 
in all sorts of fancy versifying. Aside from this, however, we 
have a number of genuine elegies whose writers are unknown 
and the names of a number of writers whose elegies have per- 
ished. In only one case have we any considerable collection 
of elegies the authorship of which is known. To the class 
of adevirora, or anonymous writings, belong the 'liber nucis^ 2 
(the plaint of the nut-tree) and the ' consolatio ad Liviam/ 3 
both of which have been without foundation attributed to 
Ovid, the two elegies 'ad Maecenatem/ 4 and the one on 
' Spes/ 5 They belong, all of them, to the first century. 
Over against these anonymous verses may beset three authors 

MSS. read Cerinthus instead of Cornutus in Bk. n proves only that the correctors identi- 
fied the two ; and the etymological argument, Cornutus = Cerinthus, cornu = /cepa?, is very 
specious. On the other hand, the argument against identification based on the fact that 
in that case he would be addressed in the one place by his real name, in the other by a 
pseudonym, is worthless. If the two be the same, Bk. n, 2, which portrays a happy 
married life, must have been written later than Bk. iv, and at that time concealment by 
the use of a pseudonym was no longer necessary. As far as the chronology of Tibullus's 
writings is concerned, there is no difficulty in supposing that his share of Bk. iv was 
written earlier than Bk. 11. 

1 Sueton., vita fforat., p. 47 (Reiff.): renerunl in manus meas et elegi sub tltulo eius 
et epistola prosa oratione quasi commendantis se Maecenati, sed utraque falsa puto, 
nam elegi vulgares epistola eliam obscura, quo ritio minirne tenebatur. 

2 Published by Baehrens, PLM., p. 90, and with a critical commentary by Wilamowitz 
in Commentat. Mommsen, p. 390. 

3 Sometimes called the 'epicedhim Drusi. 1 Published by Baehrens, PLM., 1, p. 104, 
and by M. Haupt, Opuscula, 1, p. 315. 

4 Published by Baehrens, PLM., 1, p. 125, and by Riese, AL., 1, 779. 
6 PLM., iv, p. 65 ; AL., 1, 415. 



INTRODUCTION . xlv ii 

whose elegies have been lost — Arruutius Stella, Passenus 

Paulus, and the younger Pliny, all three of whom lived 
under Domitian and Trajan. Arruntius Stella, 1 the friend 
of Statius and Martial, sang of his lady-love, a rich widow of 
Naples. We cannot judge of his poetry, but Martial 2 ap- 
plies to him the adjective facunclus, which he used also of 
Tibullus. Passenus Paulus, the descendant and imitator of 
the poet Propertius, whose townsman he was and whose 
name he bore, is known to us only from the writings of his 
friend Pliny 3 and from an inscription, which, however, con- 
tains merely his name. 4 The third of the names is that of 
Pliny himself. With him, however, the writing of elegies 
was at best a mere pastime. 5 Finally, in the middle of the 
sixth century there stands a solitary figure, that of Maxi- 
mianus, commonly called the Etruscan, whose elegies have 
been preserved, and who, while he is far from being a great 
writer, is decidedly superior to his surroundings. 6 



1 Consul Suffectus in a.d. 101. The widow's real name was Violentilla ; he called her 
Asteris ; Martial calls her lanthis. Statius and Martial both celebrate his marriage to 
her, each in thoroughly characteristic ways : Statius by a great ' epithalamium ' (Silv., i, 
2), Martial by an epigram (vi, 21). 

2 xii, 3, 11. 

3 Cf. Plin., Ep., vr, 15, 1 : Passenus Paulus, splendidus eques Bomanus et in primis 
eruditus, scribit elegos. Gentilicium hoc illi : est enim municeps Properti atque etiam 
inter maiores suos Propertium numerat ; and Ep., ix, 22 : vir est optimus, honestissimus, 
nostri amantissimus, praeterea in litteris veteres aemulatur, exprimit, reddit, Propertium 
in. primis, a quo genus ducit, vera suboles, eoque simillima illi in quo ille praecipuus. Si 
elegos eius in manum sumpseris, leges opus tersum, molle, iucundum, et plane inPropertii 
domo scriptum . 

4 The inscription has been quoted above ; see Note on § 28. 

5 Eight couplets have been preserved in Ep., vn, 9, 11. In another letter {Ep., vir, 4) 
he gives an amusing account of trying his hand at various metres, among them the 
elegiac, to while away an enforced stay on a small island : cum emilitia rediens inlcaria 
insula vends detinerer, Latinos elegos in i'Jud ipsum mar-e ipsamque insulam feci, ex- 
pertus sum me aliquando et heroo, hendecasyllabls, etc. 

6 His poems are in Baehreus, PLM., v, p. 316, and have also been edited separately by 
M. Petschenig (Berlin, 1890). A new critical edition, with explanatory commentary by 
R. Webster, will appear shortly. Curiously enough, the first editor, Pomponius Gauricus 
(Venice, 1501) asserted that Cornelius Gallus was their author — another of the vain at- 
tempts to find something from the pen of Gailus. 



SELECTIONS FROM 

THE ELEGIAC POETS 



ALBII TIBVLLI 

LIBER PRIMVS. 

I. 

Divitias alius fulvo sibi congerat auro 

et teneat culti iugera multa soli, 
quern labor adsiduus vicino terreat hoste, 

Martia cui somnos classica pulsa fugent : 
me mea paupertas vita traducat inerti, . 5 

dum mens adsiduo luceat igne focus, 
ipse seram teneras niaturo tempore vites 

rusticus et facili grandia poma manu : 
nee Spes destituat, sed frugum semper acervos 

praebeat et pleno piuguia musta lacu. 10 

nam veneror, seu stipes habet desertus in agris 

seu vetus in trivio florea serta lapis : 
et quodcumque mihi domim novus educat annus, 

libatum agricolae ponitur ante deo. 
flava Ceres, tibi sit nostro de rare corona 15 

spicea, quae templi pendeat ante fores : 
pomosisque ruber custos ponatur in liortis, 

terreat ut saeva falce Priapus ayes, 
vos quoque, felicis quondam, nunc pauperis agri 

custodes, fertis munera vestra, Lares. 20 



2 TIBVLLI I, i, 21-56. 

turn vitula innumeros lustrabat caesa iuvencos : 

nunc agna exigui est hostia parva soli, 
agna cadet vobis, quam circum rustica pubes 

clamet 'io messes etbona vina date/ 
iam modo iam possim contentus yiyere parvo 25 

nee semper longae deditus esse viae, 
sed Canis aestivos ortus vitare sub umbra 

arboris ad rivos praetereuntis aquae, 
nee tamen interdum pudeat tenuisse bidentes 

ant stimulo tardos increpuisse boves, 30 

non agnamve sinu pigeat f etumve capellae 

desertum oblita matre referre domum. 
at vos exiguo pecori, furesque lupique, 

parcite : de magno praeda petenda grege. 
hie ego pastoremque meum lustrare quot annis 35 

et placidam soleo spargere lacte Palem. 
adsitis, divi, nee vos e paupere mensa 

dona nee e puris spernite flctilibus. 
fictilia antiquus primum sibi fecit agrestis 

poeula, de facili conposuitque luto. 40 

non ego divitias patrum fructusque requiro, 

quos tulit antiquo condita messis avo : 
parva seges satis est, satis est, requiescere lecto 

si licet et solito membra levare toro. 
quam iuvat inmites ventos audire cubantem 45 

et dominam tenero continuisse sinu 
aut, gelidas hibernus aquas cum fuderit Auster, 

securum somnos imbre iuvante sequi ! 
hoc milii contingat : sit dives hire, furorem 

qui maris et tristes ferre potest pluvias. 50 

o quantum est auri pereat potiusque smaragdi, 

quam neat ob nostras ulla puella vias. 
te bellare decet terra, Messalla, marique, 

ut domus hostiles praeferat exuvias : 
me retinent victum formosae vincla puellae, 55 

et sedeo duras ianitor ante fores. 



TIBVLLI I, i, 57-78 ; 2, 65-74. 3 

non ego laudari euro, mea Delia : tecum 

dum mo do sim, quaeso segnis inersque vocer. 
te spectem, suprema mihi cum venerit hora, 

te teneam moriens deficiente maim. 60 

flebis et arsuro positum me, Delia, lecto, 

tristibus et lacrimis oscula mixta dabis. 
flebis : non tua sunt duro praecordia ferro 

yincta, neque in tenero stat tibi corde silex. 
illo non iuyenis poterit de f unere quisquam 65 

lumina, non yirgo, sicca ref erre domum. 
turn Manes ne laede meos, sed parce solutis 

crinibus et teneris, Delia, parce genis. 
interea, dum fata sinunt, iungamus amores : 

iam yeniet tenebris Mors adoperta caput, 70 

iam subrepet iners aetas, nee amare decebit, 

dicere nee cano blanditias capiti. 
nunc levis est tractanda Venus, dum frangere postes 

non pudet et rixas inseruisse iuyat. 
hie ego dux milesque bonus : yos, signa tubaeque, 75 

ite procul, cupidis yulnera ferte yiris, 
ferte et opes : ego conposito securus aceryo 

despiciam dites despiciamque famem. 



II. 



Ferreus ille fuit, qui te cum posset habere, 65 

maluerit praedas stultus et arma sequi. 
ille licet Cilicum yictas agat ante cateryas, . 

ponat et in capto Martia castra solo, 
totus et argento contextus, totus et auro, 

insideat celeri conspiciendus equo, 70 

ipse boyes mea si tecum modo, Delia, possim 

iungere et in solito pascere monte pecus : 
et te dum liceat teneris retinere lacertis, 

mollis et inculta sit mihi somnus humo. 



4 TIBVLLI I, 2, 75-98; 3, 1-8. 

quid Tyrio recubare toro sine amore secuncjo 75 

prodest, cum fletu nox vigilanda venit ? 
nam neque turn plumae nee stragula picta soporem 

nee sonitus placidae ducere posset aquae. 
num. Veneris magnae violavi numina yerbo, 

et mea nunc poenas inpia lingua luit ? 80 

num feror incestus sedes adiisse deorum 

sertaque de Sanctis deripuisse focis ? 
non ego, si merui, dubitem procumbere templis 

et dare sacratis oscula liminibus, 
non ego tellurem genibus perrepere supplex 85 

et miserum sancto tundere poste caput, 
at tu, qui laetus rides mala nostra, cayeto 

mox tibi : non in 110s saeyiet usque deus. 
yidi ego, qui iuyenum miseros lusisset amores, 

post Veneris yinclis subdere colla sen em 90 

et sibi blanditias tremula conponere yoce 

et manibus canas flngere yelle comas : 
stare nee ante fores puduit caraeye puellae 

ancillam medio detinuisse foro. 
hunc puer, hunc iuyenis turba circumterit arta,, 95 

despuit in molles et sibi quisque sinus, 
at mihi parce, Venus : semper tibi dedita servit 

mens mea : quid messes uris acerba tuas ? 



III. 



Ibitis Aegaeas sine me, Mess'alla, per undas, 

o utinam memores ipsi cohorsque mei: 
me tenet ignotis aegrum Phaeacia terris : 

abstineas ayidas, Mors precor atra, manus. 
abstineas, Mors atra, precor : non hie mihi mater 

quae legat in maestos ossa perusta sinus, 
non soror, Assyrios cineri quae dedat odores 

et Seat effusis ante sepulcra comis, 



TXBVLLI I, 3, 9-44. 5 

Delia non usquam ; quae me cum mitteret urbe, 

dicitur ante omnes consuluisse deos. 10 

ilia sacras pueri sortes ter sustulit : illi 

rettulit e trinis omina certa puer. 
cuncta dabant reditus ; tamen est deterrita numquam, 

qirin fleret nostras despueretque vias. 
ipse ego solator, cum iam mandata dedissem, 15 

quaerebam tardas anxius usque moras, 
aut ego sum causatus aves ant omina dira, 

Saturnive sacram me tenuisse diem. 
o quotiens ingressus iter mihi tristia dixi 

offensum in porta signa dedisse pedem ! 20 

audeat invito nequis discedere Amore, 

aut sciat egressum se prohibente deo. 
quid tua nunc Isis mini, Delia, quid mihi prosunt 

ilia tua totiens aera repulsa manu, 
quidve, pie dum sacra colis, pureque lavari 25 

te (memini) et puro secubuisse toro ? 
nunc, dea, nunc succurre mihi (nam posse mederi 

picta docet templis multa tabella tuis), 
ut mea votivas persolvens Delia voces 

ante sacras lino tecta fores sedeat 30 

bisque die resoluta comas tibi dicere laudes 

insignis turba debeat in Pharia. 
at mihi contingat patrios celebrare Penates 

reddereque antiquo menstrua tura Lari. 
quam bene Saturno vivebant rege, priusquam 35 

tellus in longas est pat ef acta vias ! 
nondum caeruleas pinus contempserat undas, 

eflusum ventis praebueratque sinum, 
nee vagus ignotis repetens conpendia terris 

presserat externa navita merce ratem. 40 

illo non validus subiit iuga tempore taurus, 

non domito frenos ore momordit equus, 
non domus ulla fores habuit, non fixus in agris, 

qui regeret certis finibus arva, lapis. 



6 TIBVLLI I, 3, 45-78. 

ipsae mella dabant quercus, ultroque ferebant 45 

obvia securis ubera lactis oves. 
non acies, non ira fuit, non bella, nee ensem 

inmiti saevus duxerat arte faber. 
nunc love sub domino caedes et vulnera semper, 

nunc mare, nunc leti mille repente viae. 50 

parce, pater, timidum non me periuria terrent, 

non dicta in sanctos inpia verba deos. 



quod si fatales iam nunc explevimus annos, 

f ac lapis inscriptis stet super ossa notis : 
' hie iacet inmiti consumptus morte Tibullus, 55 

Messallam terra dum sequiturque mari/ 
sed me, quod facilis tenero sum semper Amori, 

ipsa Venus campos ducet in Elysios. 
hie choreae cantusque vigent, passimque vagantes 

dulce sonant tenui gutture carmen aves, 60 

fert casiam non culta seges, totosque per agros 

floret odoratis terra benigna rosis : 
at iuvenum series teneris inmixta puellis 

ludit, et adsidue proelia miscet Amor, 
illic est, cuicumque rapax mors venit amanti, 65 

et gerit insigni myrtea serta coma, 
at scelerata iacet sedes in nocte profunda 

abdita, quam circum flumina nigra sonant : 
Tisiphoneque inpexa feros pro crinibus angues 

saevit, et hue illuc inpia turba fugit : 70 

turn niger in porta serpentum Cerberus ore 

stridet et aeratas excubat ante fores, 
illic Iunonem temptare Ixionis ausi 

versantur celeri noxia membra rota, 
porrectusque novem Tityos per iugera terrae 75 

adsiduas atro viscere pascit aves. 
Tantalus est illic, et circum stagna : sed acrem 

iam iam poturi deserit unda sitim : 



TIBVLLI I, 3, 79-94 ; 5, 1-16. 7 

et Danai proles, Veneris quod numina laesit, 

in cava Lethaeas clolia portafc aquas. 80 

illic sit, quicumque meos violavit amores, 

optavit lentas et mihi militias, 
at tu casta precor maneas, sanctique pudoris 

adsideat custos sedula semper anus, 
haec tibi fabellas ref erat positaque lucerna 85 

deducat plena stamina longa colli, 
at circa gravibus pensis adfixa puella 

paullatim somno fessa remittat opus. 
turn yeniam subito, nee quisquam nuntiet ante, 

sed videar caelo missus adesse tibi. - 90 

turn mihi, qualis eris, longos turbata eapillos, 

obvia nudato, Delia, curre pede. 
hoc precor, hunc ilium nobis Aurora nitentem 

luciferum roseis Candida portet equis. 



V. 



Asper eram et bene discidium me ferre loquebar : 

at mihi nunc longe gloria fortis abest. 
namque agor, ut per plana citus sola verbere turben, 

quern celer adsueta versat ab arte puer. 
ure ferum et torque, libeat ne dicere quicquam 5 

magnificum post haec : horrida verba doma. 
parce tamen, per te furtivi foedera lecti 

per Venerem quaeso conpositumque caput, 
ille ego, cum tristi morbo defessa iaceres, 

te dicor votis eripuisse meis, 10 

ipseque ter circum lustravi sulfure puro, 

carmine cum magico praecinuisset anus : 
ipse procuravi ne possent saeva nocere 

somnia, ter sancta deveneranda mola : 
ipse ego velatus filo tunicisque solutis 15 

vota novem Triviae nocte silente dedi. 



8 TIBVLLI I, 5, 17-36 ; 7, 1-12. 

omnia persolvi : fruitur nunc alter amore, 

et precibus felix utitur ille meis. 
at mihi felicem vitam, si salva fuisses, 

fingebam demens, sed renuente deo. 20 

rura colam, frugumque aderit mea Delia custos, 

area dum messes sole calente teret, 
aut mihi servabit' plenis in lintribus uvas 

pressaque veloci Candida musta pede, 
consuescet namerare pecus, consuescet amantis 25 

garrulus in dominae ludere verna sinu. 
ilia deo sciet agricolae pro vitibus uvam, 

pro segete spicas, pro grege f erre dap em. 
ilia regat cunctos, illi sint omnia curae : 

at iu vet in tota me nihil esse domo. 30 

hue veniet Messalla meus, cui dulcia poma 

Delia selectis detrahat arboribus : 
et tantum venerata yirum, hunc sedula curet, 

huic paret atque epulas ipsa ministra gerat. 
haec mihi fingebam,, quae nunc Eurusque ISTotusque 35 

iactat odoratos vota per Armenios. 



VII. 

Hunc cecinere diem Parcae fatalia nentes 

stamina, non ulli dissoluenda deo ; 
hunc fore, Aquitanas posset qui f undere gentes, 

quern tremeret forti milite victus Atax. 
evenere : novos pubes Eomana triumphos 5 

vidit et evinctos bracchia capta duces : 
at te victrices lauros, Messalla, gerentem 

portabat niveis currus eburnus equis. 
non sine me est tibi partus honos : Tarbella Pyrene 

testis et Oceani litora Santonici, 10 

testis Arar Ehodanusque celer magnusque Garumna, 

Carnuti et flavi caerula lympha Liger. 



TIBVLLI I, 7, 13-48. 9 

an te, Cydne, canam, tacitis qui leniter undis 

caeruleus placidis per vada serpis aquis, 
quantus et aetherio contingens yertice nubes 15 

frigidus intonsos Taurus alat Cilicas ? 
quid referarn, ut yolitet crebras intacta per urbes 

alba Palaestino sancta columba Syro, 
utque maris yastum prospectet turribus aequor 

prima ratem yentis credere docta Tyros, 20 

qualis et, arentes cum findit Sirius agros, 

fertilis aestiya Nilus abundet aqua ? 
Nile pater, quanam possim te dicere causa 

aut quibus in terris occuluisse caput ? 
te propter nullos tellus tua postulat imbres, 25 

arida nee pluyio supplicat lierba IovL 
te canit atque suum pubes miratur Osirim 

barbara, Memphiten plangere docta boyem. 
primus aratra manu sollerti fecit Osiris 

et teneram ferro sollicitayit humum, 30 

primus inexpertae commisit semina terrae 

pomaque non notis legit ab arboribus. 
hie docuit teneram palis adiungere yitem, 

hie yiridem dura caedere falce comam : 
illi iucundos primum matura sapores 35 

expressa incultis uya dedit pedibus. 
ille liquor docuit yoces inflectere cantu, 

moyit et ad certos nescia membra modos, 
Bacchus et agricolae magno confecta labore 

pectora tristitiae dissoluenda dedit. 40 

Bacchus et adflictis requiem mortalibus adfert, 

crura licet dura compede pulsa sonent. 
non tibi sunt tristes curae nee lectus, Osiri, 

sed chorus et cantus et leyis aptus amor, 
sed yarii flores et f rons redimita corymbis, 45 

fusa sed ad teneros lutea palla pedes 
et Tyriae yestes et dulcis tibia cantu 

et leyis occultis conscia cista sacris. 



IO TIBVLLI I, 7, 49-64 ; 10, 1-16. 

hue ades et Genium ludo Geniumque choreis 

concelebra et multo tempora f unde mero : 50 

illius et nitido stillent unguenta capillo, 

et capite et collo mollia serta gerat. 
sic venias hodierne : tibi dem turis honores, 

liba et Mopsopio dulcia melle feram. 
at tibi succrescat proles, quae facta parentis 55 

augeat et circa stet, venerande, senem. 
nee taceat monumenta viae, quem Tuscula tellus 

candidaque antiquo detinet Alba Lare. 
namque opibus congesta tuis liic glarea dura 

sternitur, hie apta iungitur arte silex. 60 

te canit agricola, e magna cum venerit urbe 

serus inoflensum rettuleritque pedem. 
at tu, natalis multos celebrande per annos, 

candidior semper candidiorque veni. 



X. 

Quis fuit, horrendos primus qui protulit enses ? 

quam ferus et vere ferreus ille fuit ! 
turn caedes hominum generi, turn proelia nata, 

turn brevior dirae mortis aperta via est. 
an nihil ille miser meruit, nos ad mala nostra 5 

vertimus, in saevas quod dedit ille feras. 
divitis hoc vitium est auri ; nee bella fuerunt, 

faginus adstabat cum scyphus ante dapes, 
non arces, non vallus erat, somnumque petebat 

securus varias dux gregis inter oves. 10 

turn mihi vita f oret dulcis, nee tristia nossem 

arma nee audissem corde micante tubam : 
nunc ad bella trahor, et iam quis f orsitan hostis 

haesura in nostro tela gerit latere, 
sed patrii servate Lares : aluistis et idem, 15 

cursarem vestros cum tener ante pedes. 



TIBYLLI I, 10, 17-50. 1 1 

neu pudeat prisco yos esse e stipite factos : 

sic Yeteris sedes incoluistis avi. 
turn melius tenuere fidem, cum paupere cultu 

stabat in exigua ligneus aede deus. 20 

liic placatus erat, seu quis libaYerat uvam, 

sen dederat sanctae spicea serta comae : 
atque aliquis voti compos liba ipse ferebat 

post que comes purum filia parYa faYum. 
at nobis aerata, Lares, depellite tela, 25 

hostiaque e plena -rustica porcus liara. 
hanc pura cum Yeste sequar myrtoque canistra 

Yincta geram, myrto vinctus et ipse caput, 
sic placeam Yobis : alius sit fortis in armis, 

sternat et adYersos Marte faYente duces, 30 

ut milii potanti possit sua dicere facta 

miles et in mensa pingere castra mero. 
quis furor est atram bellis arcessere mortem ? 

inminet et tacito clam venit ilia pede. 
non seges est infra, non Yinea culta, sed audax 35 

Cerberus et Stygiae naYita turpis aquae : 
illic perscissisque genis ustoque capillo 

errat ad obscuros pallida turba lacus. 
quam potius laudandus hie est, quern prole parata 

occupat in parva pigra senecta casa ! 40 

ipse suas sectatur OYes, at filius agnos, 

et calidam fesso conparat uxor aquam. 
sic ego sim, liceatque caput candescere canis, 

temporis et prisci facta referre senem. 
interea Pax arYa colat. Pax Candida primum 45 

duxit araturos sub iuga curva boYes, 
Pax aluit vites et sucos condidit irrae, 

f under et ut nato testa paterna merum : 
pace bidens Yomerque Yigent, at tristia duri 

militis in tenebris occupat arma situs. 50 



12 TIBVLLI I, io, 51-68. 

rusticus e lucoque vehit, male sobrius ipse, 

uxorem plaustro progeniemque domum. 
sed Veneris turn bella calent, scissosque capillos 

femina perfractas conqueriturque fores : 
flet teneras subtusa genas, sed victor et ipse 55 

flet sibi dementes tarn valuisse manus. 
at lascivus Amor rixae mala verba ministrat, 

inter et iratum lentus utrumque sedet. 
ah, lapis est ferrumque, suam quicumque puellam 

verberat : e caelo deripit ille deos. 60 

sit satis e membris tenuem rescindere vestem, 

sit satis ornatus dissoluisse comae, 
sit lacrimas movisse satis : quater ille beatus 

quo tenera irato flere puella potest, 
sed manibus qui saevus erit, scutumque sudemque 65 

is gerat et miti sit procul a Venere. 
at nobis, Pax alma, veni spicamque teneto, 

perfluat et pomis candidus ante sinus. 



ALBII TIBVLLI 

LIBER SECVKDVS. 



Quisquis adest, faveat : fruges lustramus et agros, 

ritus ut a prisco traditus extat avo. 
Bacche, veni, dulcisque tuis e cornibus uva 

pendeat, et spicis tempora cinge, Ceres, 
luce sacra requiescat humus, requiescat arator, 5 

et grave suspenso vomere cesset opus", 
solvite vincla iugis : nunc ad praesepia debent 

plena coronato stare boves capite. 
omnia sint operata deo : non audeat ulla 

lanificam pensis inposuisse manum. 10 

yos quoque abesse procul iubeo, discedat ab aris, 

cui tulit hesterna gaudia nocte Venus, 
casta placent superis : pura cum veste venite 

et manibus puris sumite f ontis aquam. 
cernite, fulgentes ut eat sacer agnus ad aras 15 

vinctaque post olea Candida turba comas, 
di patrii, purgamus agros, purgamus agrestes : 

yos mala de nostris pellite limitibus,, 
neu seges eludat messem fallacibus herbis, 

neu timeat celeres tardior agna lupos. 20 

turn nitidus plenis confisus rusticus agris. 

ingeret ardenti grandia ligna foco,, 
turbaque Yernarum,, saturi bona signa colonic 

ludet et ex virgis extruet ante casas. 



14 TIBVLLI II, I, 25-60. 

eventura precor : viden ut felicibus extis 25 

significet placidos nuntia fibra deos ? 
nunc mihi fumosos veteris proferte Falernos 

consulis et Ohio solvite vincla cado. 
vina diem celebrent : non festa luce madere 

est rubor, errantes et male ferre pedes. 30 

sed ' bene Messallam ' sua quisque ad pocula dicat, 

nomen et absentis singula verba sonent. 
gentis Aquitanae celeber Messalla triumphis 

et magna intonsis gloria victor avis, 
hue ades adspiraque mihi, dum carmine nostro 35 

redditur agricolis gratia caelitibus. 
rura cano rurisque deos. his vita magistris 

desuevit querna pellere glande famem : 
illi conpositis primum docuere tigillis 

exiguam viridi fronde operire domum, 40 

illi etiam tauros primi docuisse feruntur 

servitium et plaustro supposuisse rotam. 
turn victus abiere feri, turn consita pom us, 

turn bibit inriguas fertilis hortus aquas, 
aurea turn pressos pedibus dedit uva liquores 45 

mixtaque securo est sobria lympha mero. 
rura ferunt messes, calidi cum sideris aestu 

deponit flavas»annua terra comas, 
rure levis verno flores apis ingerit alveo, 

conpleat ut dulci sedula melle favos. 50 

agricola adsiduo primum satiatus aratro 

cantavit certo rustica verba pede 
et satur arenti primum est modulatus avena 

carmen, ut ornatos diceret ante deos, 
agricola et minio suffusus, Bacche, rubenti 55 

primus inexperta duxit ab arte choros. 
huic datus a pleno, memorabile munus, ovili 

dux pecoris curtas auxerat hircus opes, 
rure puer verno primum de flore coronam 

fecit et antiquis inposuit Laribus. 60 



TIBYLLI II, I, 01-90 ; 2, 1-2. 15 

rure etiam teneris curam exhibitura pnellis 

molle gerit tergo lttcida velltts ovis. 
hinc et femineus labor est, hinc pensa colusque, 

fusus et aclposito pollice versat opus : 
atque aliqua adsidttae textrix operata Minefvae 65 

cantat, et adplauso tela sonat latere, 
ipse interque greges interque armenta Capido 

natus et indomitas dicitur inter equas. 
illic indoeto primum se exercuit arcu: 

ei mihi, quam doctas nunc habet ille manus ! 70 

nee pecudes, velut ante, petit : fixisse puellas 

gestit et audaces perclomuisse viros. 
hie iuveni detraxit opes, hie dicere iussit 

limen ad iratae verba pudenda senem : 
hoc dnce custodes f urtini transgressa iacentes 75 

ad ittveneni tenebris sola puella venit 
et pedibus praetemptat iter suspensa timore, 

explorat caecas cui manus ante vias. 
ah miseri, quos hie graviter deus urget ! at ille 

felix, cui placidus leniter adflat Amor. 80 

sancte, yeni dapibus festis, sed pone sagittas 

et pr ocul ardentes hinc precor abde faces, 
vos celebrem cantate deum pecoriqtte Yocate 

voce palam pecori, clam sibi quisqtte vocet. 
attt etiam sibi quisqtte palam : nam tttrba iocosa 85 

obstrepit et Phrygio tibia cttrva sono. 
lttdite : iam Xox ittngit eqttos, cttrrttmque seqttuntttr 

matris lascivo sidera fulva choro, 
postqtte venit tacitus fttryis circumdatus alis 

Somnus et incerto Somnia nigra pede. 90 



II. 



Dicamtts bona yerba — yenit Xatalis — ad aras 
qttisquis ades, lingua, vir mulierqtte, faye. 



l6 TIBVLLI II, 2, 3-22 ; 3, 1-12. 

urantur pia tura focis, urantur odores, 

quos tener e terra divite mittit Arabs, 
ipse suos Genius adsit visurus honores, 5 

cui decorent sanctas mollia serta comas, 
illius puro destillent tempora nardo, 

atque satur libo sit madeatque mero, 
adnuat et, Cornute, tibi, quodcumque rogabis. 

en age, quid cessas ? adnuit ille : roga. 10 

auguror, uxoris fidos optabis amores : 

iam reor hoc ipsos edidicisse deos. 
nee tibi malueris, totum quaecumque per orbem 

fortis arat valido rusticus arva bove, 
nee tibi, gemmarum quidquid felicibus Indis 15 

nascitur, Eoi qua maris unda rubet. 
vota cadunt. utinam strepitantibus ad volet alis 

flavaque coniugio vincula portet Amor, 
vincula, quae maneant semper, dum tarda senectus 

inducat rugas inficiatque comas. 20 

hac veniat Natalis avi prolemque ministret, 

ludat et ante tuos turba novella pedes. 



III. 

Eura meam, Cornute, tenent villaeque puellam : 

ferreus est, heu lieu, quisquis in urbe manet. 
ipsa Venus latos iam nunc migravit in agros, 

verbaque aratoris rustica discit Amor. 
ego, cum aclspicerem dominam, quam for titer illic 5 

versarem valido pingue bidente solum 
agricolaeque modo curvum sectarer aratrum, 

dum subigunt steriles arva serenda boves ! 
nee quererer, quod sol graciles exureret artus, 

laederet et teneras pustula rupta manus. 10 

pavit et Admeti tauros formosus Apollo, 

nee cithara intonsae profueruntve comae, 



TIBVLLI II, 3, 13-42. \J 

nee potuit curas sanare salubrious herbis : 

quidquid erat medicae vicerat artis amor. 14 

ipse deus solitus. stabulis expellere yaccas 14a 

et miscere novo docuisse coagula lacte, 14£ 

lacteus et mixtus obriguisse liquor. 14c 

turn fiscella levi detexta est vimine iunci, 15 

raraque per nexus est via facta sero. 
o quotiens illo vitulum gestante per agros 

dicitur occurrens erubuisse soror ! 
o quotiens ausae, caneret dum valle sub alta, 

rumpere mugitu carmina docta boves ! 20 

saepe duces trepidis petiere oracula rebus,, 

venit et a templis inrita turba domum : 
saepe horrere sacros doluit Latona capillos, 

quos admirata est ipsa noverca prius. 
quisquis inornatumque caput crinesque solutos 25 

adspiceret, Phoebi quaereret ille comam. 
Delos ubi nunc, Phoebe, tua est, ubi Delphica Pytlio ? 

nempe amor in parva te iubet esse casa. 
f elices olim, Veneri cum f ertur aperte 

servire aeternos non puduisse deos. 30 

fabula nunc ille est : sed cui sua cura puella est, 

fabula sit mavult quam sine amore deus. 
at tu, quisquis is es, cui tristi fronte Cupido 

imperat ut nostra sint tua castra domo, 



ferrea non Venerem, sed praedam, saecula laudant : 35 

praeda tamen multis est operata malis. 
praeda feras acies cinxit discordibus armis : 

hinc cruor, hinc caedes mors propiorque venit. 
praeda vago iussit geminare pericula ponto, 

bellica cum dubiis rostra dedit ratibus. 40 

praedator cupit inmensos obsidere campos, 

ut multa innumera iugera pascat ove ; 
2 



1 8 TIBVLLI II, 3, 43-76. 

cui lapis externus curae est, urbisque tumultus 

portatur yalidis mille columna iugis, 
claudit et indomitum moles mare, lentus ut intra 45 

neglegat hibernas piscis adesse minas, 
at mihi laeta trahant Samiae conyivia testae 

fictaque Cumana lubrica terra rota, 
heu heu divitibus video gaudere. puellas : 

iam veniant praedae, si Venus optat opes ; 50 

ut mea luxuria Nemesis fluat utque per urbem 

incedat donis conspicienda meis. 
ilia gerat Testes tenues, quas femina Coa 

texuit, auratas disposuitque vias : 
illi sint comites fusci, quos India torret, 55 

Solis et admotis inficit ignis equis : 
illi selectos certent praebere colores 

Africa puniceum purpureumque Tyros. 



nota loquor : regnum iste tenet, quern saepe coegit 

barbara gypsatos ferre catasta pedes. 60 

at tibi dura seges, Nemesim qui abducis ab urbe, 

persolvat nulla semina certa fide, 
et tu, Bacche tener, iucundae consitor uvae, 

tu quoque devotos, Bacche, relinque lacus. 
haud inpune licet formosas tristibus agris 65 

abdere : non tanti sunt tua musta, pater, 
o valeant fruges, ne sint modo rure puellae : 

glans al at, et prisco more bibantur aquae, 
glans aluit veteres, et passim semper amarunt : 

quid nocuit sulcos non habuisse satos ? 70 

turn, quibus adspirabat Amor, praebebat aperte 

mitis in umbrosa gaudia yalle Venus, 
nullus erat custos, nulla exclusura dolentes 

ianua : si fas est, mos precor ille redi. 



75 



horrida villosa corpora veste tegant. 



TIBYLLI II, 3, 77-80 ; 5, 1-28. 19 

nunc si clausa mea est, si copia rara videndi, 
lieu miserum, laxam quid iuvat esse togam ? 

ducite : ad imperium dominae sulcabimus agros : 

non ego me vinclis verberibusque nego. 80 



Phoebe, fave : novus ingreditur tua templa sacerdos : 

hue age cum cithara carminibusque veni. 
nunc te vocales inpellere pollice chordas, 

nunc precor ad laudes flectere verba sacras. 
ipse triumphali devinctus tempora lauro, 5 

dum cumulant aras, ad tua sacra veni. 
sed nitidus pulcherque veni : nunc indue vestem 

sepositam, longas nunc bene pecte comas, 
qualem te memorant Saturno rege fugato 

victori laudes concinuisse Iovi. 10 

tu procul eventura vides, tibi deditus augur 

scit bene quid fati provida cantet avis, 
tuque regis sortes, per te praesentit aruspex, 

lubrica signavit cum deus exta notis : 
te duce Eomanos numquam frustrata Sibylla, . 15 

abdita quae senis fata canit pedibus ! 
Phoebe, sacras Messalinum sine tangere chartas 

vatis, et ipse precor quid canat ilia doce. 
haec dedit Aeneae sortes, postquam ille parentem 

dicitur et raptos sustinuisse Lares ; 20 

nee fore credebat Komam, cum maestus ab alto 

Ilion ardentes respiceretque deos. 
Romulus aeternae nondum firmaverat urbis 

moenia, consorti non habitanda Remo, 
sed turn pascebant herbosa Palatia vaccae 25 

et stabant humiles in Iovis arce casae 
lacte madens illic suberat Pan ilicis umbrae 

et facta agresti lignea falce Pales, 



20 TIBVLLI II, 5, 29-G4. 

pendebatque vagi pastoris in arbore votum, 

garrula silvestri fistula sacra deo, 30 

fistula, cui semper decrescit arundinis ordo : 

nam calamus cera iungitur usque minor, 
at qua Velabri regio patet, ire solebat 

exiguus pulsa per vada linter aqua, 
ilia saepe gregis diti placitura magistro 35 

ad iuvenem festa est vecta puella die, 
cum qua fecundi redierunt munera ruris, 

caseus et niveae candidus agnus ovis. 
' Inpiger Aenea, volitantis f rater Amoris, 

Troica qui profugis sacra vehis ratibus, 40 

iam tibi Laurentes adsignat Iuppiter agros, 

iam yocat errantes hospita terra Lares, 
illic sanctus eris, cum te, venerande, Numici 

unda deum caelo miserit Indigetem. 
ecce super f essas volitat Victoria puppes, 45 

tandem ad Troianos diva superba venit. 
ecce mini lucent Eutulis incendia castris : 

iam tibi praedico, barbare Turne, necem. 
ante oculos Laurens castrum murusque Lavini est 

Albaque ab Ascanio condita longa duce. 50 

te quoque iam video, Marti placitura sacerdos 

Ilia, Vestales deseruisse focos, 
concubitusque tuos furtim vittasque iacentes 

et cupidi ad ripas arma relicta dei. 
carpite nunc, tauri, de septem montibus herbas, 55 

dum licet : hie magnae iam locus urbis erit. 
Roma, tuum nomen terris fatale regendis, 

qua sua de caelo prospicit arva Ceres, 
quaque patent ortus et qua fluitantibus undis 

Solis anhelantes abluit amnis equos. 60 

Troia quidem turn se mirabitur et sibi dicet 

vos bene tarn longa consuluisse via. 
vera cano : sic usque sacras innoxia laurus 

vescar, et aeternum sit mihi virginitas/ 



TIBVLLI II, 5, 65-100. 21 

haec cecinit vates et te sibi, Phoebe, vocavit, • 65 

iactavit fusas et caput ante comas. 
quidquid Araalthea, quidquid Marpessia dixit 

Herophile, Phyto Graiaque quod nionuit, 
quasque Aniena sacras Tiburs per flumina sortes 

portarit sicco pertuleritque sinu, 70 

(hae fore dixerunt belli mala signa cometen, 

multus ut in terras deplueretque lapis : 
atque tubas at que arma ferunt strepitantia caelo 

audita et lucos praecinuisse fugani, 
ipsum etiam Solem defectum lumine vidit 75 

iungere pallentes nubilus annus equos 
et simulacra deum lacrimas fudisse tepentes 

fataque vocales j)raemonuisse boves), 
haec fuerunt olim : sed tu iam niitis, Apollo, 

prodigia indomitis merge sub aequoribus : 80 

et succensa sacris crepitet bene laurea flammis, 

omine quo felix et sacer annus erit. 
laurus ubi bona signa dedit, gaudete coloni : 

distendet spicis horrea plena Ceres, 
oblitus et musto feriet pede rusticus uvas, 85 

dolia dum magni deficiantque lacus. 
at madidus Baccho sua festa Palilia pastor 

concinet : a stabulis turn procul este, lupi. 
ille levis stipulae solemnis potus acervos 

accendet, rlammas transilietque sacras, 90 

et fetus matrona dabit, natusque parenti 

oscula conprensis auribus eripiet, 
nee taedebit arum parvo aclvigilare nepoti 

balbaque cum puero dicere verba senem. 
tunc operata deo pubes discumbet in herba, 95 

arboris antiquae qua levis umbra cadit, 
ant e veste sua tendent umbracula sertis 

vincta, coronatus stabit et ante calix. 
at sibi quisque dapes et festas extruet alte 

caespitibus mensas caespitibusque torum. 100 



22 TIBVLLI II, 5, 101-122 ; 6, 1-10. 

ingeret hie potus iuvenis maledicta puellae, 

post modo quae yotis inrita facta velit : 
nam ferus ille suae plorabit sobrius idem 

et se iurabit mente fuisse mala, 
pace tua pereant arcus pereantque sagittae, 105 

Phoebe, modo in terris erret inermis Amor, 
ars bona : sed postquam sumpsit sibi tela Cupido, 

hett heu quam multis ars dedit ilia malum ! 
et mihi praecipue. iaceo cum saucius annum 

et faveo morbo, cum iuvat ipse dolor, 110 

usque cano Nemesim, sine qua versus mihi nullus 

verba potest iustos aut reperire pedes, 
at tu (nam divum servat tutela poetas), 

praemoneo, vati parce, puella, sacro, 
ut Messalinum celebrem, cum praemia belli 115 

ante suos currus oppida victa f eret, 
ipse gerens lauros : lauro devinctus agresti 

miles ' io 9 magna voce ( triumphe ' canet. 
turn Messalla meus pia det spectacula turbae 

et plaudat curru praetereunte pater. 120 

adnue : sic tibi sint intonsi, Phoebe,, capilli, 

sic tua perpetuo sit tibi casta soror. 



VI. 



Castra Macer sequitur : tenero quid fiet Amori ? 

sit comes et collo fortiter arma gerat ? 
et seu longa virum terrae via seu vaga ducent 

aequora, cum telis ad latus ire volet ? 
ure, puer., quaeso, tua qui ferus otia liquit, 5 

atque iterum erronem sub tua signa voca. 
quod si militibus parces, erit hie quoque miles, 

ipse levem galea qui sibi portet aquam. 
castra peto, valeatque Venus valeantque puellae : 

et mihi sunt vires, et mihi facta tuba est. 10 



TIBVLLI II, 6, 11-42. 23 

magna loquor, sed magnifice mihi magna locuto 

excutiunt clausae fortia verba fores, 
iuravi quotiens rediturum ad limina numquam ! 

cum bene iuravi, pes tamen ipse redit. 
acer Amor, fractas utinam tua tela sagittas, 15 

si licet, extinctas aspiciamque faces ! 
tu miserum torques, tu me mihi dira precari 

cogis et insana mente nefanda loqui. 
iam mala finissem leto, sed credula vitam 

Spes fovet et fore eras semper ait melius. 20 

Spes alit agricolas, Spes sulcis credit aratis 

semina, quae magno fenore reddat ager : 
haec laqueo volucres, haec captat arundine pisces, 

cum tenues hamos abdidit ante cibus : 
Spes etiam valida solatur compede vinctum 25 

(crura sonant f erro, sed canit inter opus) : 
Spes facilem Xemesim spondet mihi, sed negat ilia. 

ei mihi, ne vincas, dura puella, deam. 
parce, per inmatura tuae precor ossa sororis : 

sic bene sub tenera parva quiescat humo. 30 

ilia mihi sancta est, illius dona sepulcro 

et madefacta meis serta feram lacrimis, 
illius ad tumulum fugiam supplexque sedebo 

et mea cum muto fata querar cinere. 
non f eret usque suum te propter Here clientem : 35 

illius ut verbis, sis mihi lenta, veto, 
ne tibi neglecti mittant mala somnia Manes, 

maestaque sopitae stet soror ante torum, 
qualis ab excelsa praeceps delapsa fenestra 

venit ad infernos sanguinolenta lacus. 40 

desino, ne dominae luctus renoventur acerbi : 

non ego sum tanti, ploret ut ilia semel. 



ALBII TIBVLLI 
LIBEE QVABTVS. 

II. 

Sulpicia est tibi culta tuis,, Mars magne, kalendis : 

spectatum e caelo, si sapis, ipse veni. 
hoc Venus ignoscet ; at tu, violente, caveto 

ne tibi miranti turpiter arma cadant. 
illius ex oculis, cum vult exurere divos, 5 

accendit geminas lampadas acer Amor, 
illam, quidquid agit, quoquo vestigia movit, 

conponit furtim subsequiturque Decor, 
seu solvit crines, fusis decet esse capillis ; 

seu compsit, comptis est veneranda comis. 10 

urit, seu Tyria voluit procedere palla ; 

urit, seu nivea Candida veste venit. 
talis in aeterno felix Vertumnus Olympo 

mille habet ornatus, mille decenter habet. 
sola puellarum digna est, cui mollia caris 15 

vellera det sucis bis madefacta Tyros,, 
possideatque, metit quidquid bene olentibus arvis 

cultor odoratae dives Arabs segetis 
et quascumque niger rubro de litore gemmas 

proximus Eois colligit Indus aquis. 20 

hanc vos, Pierides,, festis cantate kalendis, 

et testudinea Phoebe superbe lyra. 
hoc solemne sacrum multos haec sumat in annos : 

dignior est vestro nulla puella choro. 



TIBVLLI IV, 3, 1-24 ; 4, 1-6. 2$ 

III. 

Parce meo iuveni, sen quis bona pascua campi 

seu colis umbrosi devia montis aper, 
nee tibi sit duros acuisse in proelia dentes, 

incolumem custos hunc mihi servet Amor, 
sed procul abducit venandi Delia cura : 5 

pereant silvae, deflciantque canes ! 
quis furor est, quae mens, densos indagine colles 

claudentem teneras laedere velle manus ? 
quidve iuyat furtim latebras intrare ferarum 

candidaque hamatis crura notare rubis ? 10 

sed tamen, ut tecum liceat, Cerinthe, vagari, 

ipsa ego per montes retia torta feram, 
ipsa ego velocis quaeram vestigia cervi 

et demam celeri ferrea vincla cani. 
turn mihi, turn placeant silvae, si, lux mea, tecum 15 

arguar ante ipsas concubuisse plagas : 
turn veniat licet ad casses, inlaesus abibit, 

ne Veneris cupidae gaudia turbet, aper. 
nunc sine me sit nulla Venus, sed lege Dianae, 

caste puer, casta retia tange manu : 20 

et quaecumque meo furtim subrepit amori, 

incidat in saevas diripienda feras. 
at tu venandi studium concede parenti, 

et celer in nostros ipse recurre sinus. 



IV. 



Hue ades et tenerae morbos expelle puellae, 
hue ades, intonsa Phoebe superbe coma. 

crede mihi, propera : nee te iam, Phoebe, pigebit 
formosae medicas adplicuisse manus. 

effice ne macies pallentes occupet artus, 
neu notet informis Candida membra color, 



26 TIBVLLI IV, 4, 7-26 ; 5, 1-12. 

et quodcumque mali est et quidquid triste timemus, 

in pelagus rapidis evehat amnis aquis. 
sancte, veni, tecumque feras, quicumque sapores, 

quicumque et cantus corpora fessa leyant : 10 

neu iuvenem torque, metuit qui fata puellae 

yotaque pro domina yix numeranda facit. 
interdum vovet, interdum, quod langueat ilia, 

dicit in aeternos aspera verba deos. 
pone metum, Cerinthe : deus non laedit amantes. 15 

tu modo semper ama : salva puella tibi est. 
nil opus est fletu : lacrimis erit aptius uti, 21 

si quando f 11 erit tristior ilia tibi. 22 

at nunc tota tua est, te solum Candida secum 17 

cogitat, et frustra credula turba sedet. 
Phoebe, fave : laus magna tibi tribuetur in uno 

corpore servato restituisse duos. 20 

iam celeber, iam laetus eris, cum debita reddet 23 

certatim Sanctis laetus uterque focis. 
turn te felicem dicet pia turba deorum, 25 

optabunt artes et sibi quisque tuas. 



V. 

Qui mihi te, Cerinthe, dies dedit, hie mihi sanctus 

atque inter festos semper habendus erit. 
te nascente novum Parcae cecinere puellis 

servitium et dederunt regna superba tibi. 
uror ego ante alias : iuvat hoc, Cerinthe, quod uror 5 

si tibi de nobis mutuus ignis adest. 
mutuus adsit amor, per te dulcissima furta 

perque tuos oculos per Geniumque rogo. 
magne Geni, cape tura libens votisque faveto, 

si modo, cum de me cogitat, ille calet. 10 

quod si forte alios iam nunc suspirat amores, 

turn precor infidos, sancte, relinque focos. 



TIBVLLI IV, 5, 13-20 ; 6, 1-20. 27 

nec tu sis iniusta, Venus : vel serviat aeque 

vinctus uterque tibi, vel mea vincla leva, 
sed potius valida teneamur uterque catena, 15 

nulla queat posthac nos soluisse dies, 
optat idem iuvenis quod nos, sed tectius optat : 

nam pudet haec ilium dicere verba palam. 
at tu, Natalis, quoniam deus omnia sentis, 

adnue : quid refert, clamne palamne roget ? 20 



VI. 

Natalis Iuno, sanctos cape turis acervos, 

quos tibi dat tenera docta puella manu. 
lota tibi est hodie, tibi se laetissima compsit, 

staret ut ante tuos conspicienda focos. 
ilia quid em ornandi causas tibi, diva, relegat : 5 

est tamen, occulte cui placuisse velit. 
at tu, sancta, fave, neuquis divellat amantes, 

sed iuveni quaeso mutua vincla para, 
sic bene conpones : ullae non ille puellae 

servire aut cuiquam dignior ilia viro. 10 

nec possit cupidos vigilans deprendere custos, 

fallendique vias mille ministret Amor, 
adnue purpureaque veni perlucida palla : 

ter tibi fit libo, ter, dea casta, mero. 
praecipiat natae mater studiosa, quod optet : 15 

ilia aliud tacita, iam sua, mente rogat. 
uritur, ut celeres urunt altaria flammae, 

nec, liceat quamvis, sana fuisse velit. 
sit iuveni grata et veniet cum proximus annus, 

hie idem votis iam vetus adsit amor. 20 



28 TIBVLLI IV, 7, 1-10; 8, 1-8; 9, 1-4. 

SYLPICIA. 
VII. 

Tandem venit amor : qualem texisse pudori 

quam nudasse alicui sit mihi fama magis. 
exorata meis ilium Cytherea Camenis 

attulit in nostrum deposuitque sinum. 
exolvit promissa Venus : mea gaudia narret, 5 

dicetur siquis non habuisse sua. 
non ego signatis quicquam mandare tabellis, 

ne legat id nemo quam meus ante, velim, 
sed peccasse iuvat, vultus conponere famae 

taedet : cum digno digna f uisse ferar. 10 



VIII. 

Invisus natalis adest, qui rure molesto 

et sine Cerintho tristis agendus erit. 
dulcius urbe quid est ? an yilla sit apta puellae 

atque Arretino frigidus amnis agro ? 
ianr, nimium Messalla mei studiose, quiescas, 

non tempestivae saepe propinque viae, 
hie animum sensusque meos abducta relinquo, 

arbitrio quoniam non sinis esse meo. 



IX. 

Scis iter ex animo sublatum triste puellae ? 

natali Komae iam licet esse meo. 
omnibus ille dies nobis natalis agatur, 

qui nee opinanti nunc tibi forte venit. 



TIBVLLI IV, io, 1-6 ; n, 1-6 ; 12, 1-6 ; 13, 1-4. 29 

X. 

Gratum est, securus multum quod iam tibi de me 

.permittis, subito ne male inepta cadam, 
si tibi cura togae potior pressumque quasillo 

scortum quam Servi filia Sulpicia :' 
solliciti sunt pro nobis, quibus ilia dolori est, 5 

ne cedam ignoto, maxima causa, toro. 



XL 



Estne tibi, Cerinthe, tuae pia cura puellae, 
quod mea nunc yexat corpora fessa calor ? 

ah ego non aliter tristes evincere morbos 
optarim, quam te si quoque velle putem. 

at mihi quid prosit morbos evincere, si tu 
nostra potes lento pectore f erre mala ? 

XII. 

Ne tibi sim, mea lux, aeque iam f ervida cura, 

ac videor paucos ante fuisse dies, 
si quicquam tot a conmisi stulta iuventa, 

cuius me fatear paenituisse magis, 
hesterna quam te solum quod nocte reliqui, 

ardorem cupiens dissimulare meum. 

TIBVLLYS. 
XIII. 

Nulla tuum nobis subducet femina lectum : 
hoc primum iuncta est foedere nostra Venus. 

tu mihi sola places, nee iam te praeter in urbe 
formosa est oculis ulla puella meis. 



30 TIBVLLI IV, 13, 5-24. 

atque utinam posses uni mihi bella videri ! 5 

displiceas aliis : sic ego tutus ero. 
nil opus invidia est, procul absit gloria vulgi : 

qui sapit, in tacito gaudeat ille sinu. 
sic ego secretis possum bene vivere silvis, 

qua nulla humano sit via trita pede. 10 

tu mihi curarum requies, tu nocte vel atra 

lumen, et in solis tu mihi turba locis. 
nunc licet e caelo mittatur arnica Tibullo, 

mittetur frustra deficietque Venus, 
hoc tibi sancta tuae Iunonis numina iuro, 15 

quae sola ante alios est tibi magna deos. 
quid facio demens ? heu heu mea pignora cedo. 

iuravi stulte : proderat iste timor. 
nunc tu f ortis eris, nunc tu me audacius ures : 

hoc peperit misero garrula lingua malum. 20 

iam, facias quodcumque voles, tuus usque manebo, 

nee f ugiam notae servitium dominae, 
sed Veneris sanctae considam vinctus ad aras. 

haec notat iniustos supplicibusque favet. 



SEX. PROPERTII 
LIBEE PRIMVS. 

I. 

Cynthia prima suis miserum me cepit ocellis, 

contactum nullis ante Cupidinibus. 
turn mihi constantis deiecit lumina fastus 

et caput inpositis pressit Amor pedibus, 
donee me docuit castas odisse puellas 5 

inprobus et nullo vivere consilio ; 
et mihi iam toto furor hie non deficit anno, 

cum tamen adversos cogor habere deos. 
Milanion nullos f ugiendo, Tulle, labores 

saevitiam durae contudit Iasidos. 10 

nam modo Partheniis amens errabat in antris, 

ibat et hirsutas ille videre feras ; 
ille etiam Hylaei percussus vulnere rami 

saucius Arcadiis rupibus ingemuit. 
ergo velocem potuit domuisse puellam : 15 

tantum in amore preces et benefacta valent. 
in me tardus Amor non ullas cogitat artes 

nee meminit notas, ut prius, ire yias. 
at yos, deductae quibus est fallacia lunae 

et labor in magicis sacra piare focis, 20 

en agedum dominae mentem convertite nostrae 

et facite ilia meo palleat ore magis. 
tunc ego crediderim vobis et sidera et amnes 

posse Cytaines ducere carminibus. 



32 PROPERTII I, I, 25-38; 2, 1-18. 

et vos, qui sero lapsum revocatis, amici, 25 

quaerite non sani pectoris auxilia. 
fortiter et ferrum saevos patiemur et ignes, 

sit modo libertas quae yelit ira loqui. 
ferte per extremas gentes et ferte per undas, 

qua non ulla meum femina norit iter. 30 

vos remanete, quibus facili deus adnuit aure, 

sitis et in tuto semper amore pares, 
in me nostra Venus noctes exercet amaras, 

et nullo vacuus tempore defit amor, 
hoc, moneo, vitate malum : sua quemque moretur 35 

cura, neque adsueto mutet amore locum, 
quod siquis monitis tardas adverterit aures, 

heu ref eret quanto verba dolore mea ! 



II. 

Quid iuvat ornato procedere, vita, capillo 

et tenues Coa veste movere sinus ? 
aut quiet Orontea crines perf undere inurra, 

teque peregrinis vendere muneribus, 
naturaeque decus mercato perdere cultu 5 

nee sinere in propriis membra nitere bonis ? 
crede mini, non ulla tuae est medicina figurae : 

nudus Amor formae non amat artificem. 
adspice quos submittat humus formosa colores. 

ut veniant hederae sponte sua melius, 10 

surgat et in solis f ormosius arbutus antris, 

et sciat indociles currere lympha vias. 
litora nativis praelucent picta lapillis 

et volucres nulla dulcius arte canunt. 
non sic Leucippis succendit Castora Phoebe, 15" 

Pollucem cultu non Hilaira soror, 
non Idae et cupido quondam discordia Phoebo, 

Eueni patriis filia litoribus, 



PKOPERTII I, 2, 19-32; 3, 1-18. 33 

nec Phrygium falso traxit candore maritum 

avecta externis Hippodamia rotis ; 20 

sed facies aderat nullis obnoxia gemmis, 

qualis Apelleis est color in tabulis. 
non illis studium yulgo conquirere amantes : 

illis ampla satis forma pudicitia. 
non ego nunc vereor, ne sim tibi vilior istis : 25 

uni siqua placet, culta puella sat est, 
cum tibi praesertim Phoebus sua carmina donet 

Aoniamque libens Calliopea lyram, 
unica nec desit iucundis gratia verbis, 

omnia quaeque Venus quaeque Minerva probat. 30 

his tu semper eris nostrae gratissima vitae, 

taedia dum miserae sint tibi luxuriae. 



III. 



Qualis Thesea iacuit cedente carina 

languida desertis Gnosia litoribus, 
qualis et accubuit primo Cepheia somno 

libera iam duris cotibus Andromede, 
nec minus adsiduis Edonis fessa choreis 5 

qualis in herboso concidit Apidano : 
talis visa mihi mollem spirare quietem 

Cynthia non certis nixa caput manibus, 
ebria cum multo traherem vestigia Baccho 

et quaterent sera nocte facem pueri. 10 

hanc ego, nondum etiam sensus deperditus omnes, 

molliter inpresso conor adire toro ; 
et quamvis duplici correptum ardore iuberent 

hac Amor hac Liber, durus uterque deus, 
subiecto leviter positam temptare lacerto 15 

osculaque admota sumere avara manu, 
non tamen ausus eram dominae turbare quietem, 

expertae metuens iurgia saevitiae, 
3 



34, PROPEKTII I, 3, 19-46 ; 6, 1-4. 

sed sic intentis haerebam fixus ocellis, 

Argus ut ignotis cornibus Inachidos. 20 

et modo solyebam nostra de fronte corollas 

ponebamque tuis, Cynthia, temporibus, 
et modo gaudebam lapsos formare capillos, 

nunc furtiva cavis poma dabam manibus, 
omniaque ingrato largibar munera somno, 25 

munera de prono saepe voluta sinu ; 
et quotiens raro duxit suspiria motu, 

obstupui vano credulus auspicio, 
nequa tibi insolitos portarent visa timores, 

neve quis invitam cogeret esse suam : 30 

donee diversas praecurrens luna fenestras,, 

lima moraturis sedula luminibus, 
conpositos levibus radiis patefecit ocellos. 

sic ait in molli fixa toro cubitum : 
' tandem te nostro ref erens iniuria lecto 35 

alterius clausis expulit e foribus ? 
namque ubi longa meae consumpsti tempora noctis, 

languidus exactis, ei mihi, sideribus ? 
o utinam tales producas, inprobe, noctes, 

me miseram quales semper habere iubes ! 40 

nam modo purpureo f allebam stamine somnum, 

rursus et Orpheae carmine fessa lj^rae : 
interdum leviter mecum deserta querebar 

externo longas saepe in amore moras, 
dum me iucundis lapsam Sopor inpulit alis. 45 

ilia fuit lacrimis ultima cura meis/ 



VI. 



Non ego nunc Hadriae vereor mare noscere tecum, 
Tulle, neque Aegaeo ducere vela salo, 

cum quo Rbipaeos possim conscendere montes 
ulteriusque domos vadere Memnonias ; 



PKOPERTII I, 6, 5-36. 35 

sed me conplexae remorantur verba puellae, 5 

mutatoque graves saepe colore preces. 
ilia mihi totis argutat noctibus ignes 

et queritur nullos esse relicta deos, 
ilia meam milii iam se denegat, ilia niinatur, 

quae solet ingrato tristis amica viro. 10 

his ego non lioram possum durare querellis : 

all pereat, siquis lentus amare potest ! 
an mihi sit tanti doctas cognoscere Athenas 

atque Asiae veteres cernere divitias, 
ut mihi deducta faciat convicia puppi 15 

Cynthia et insanis ora notet manibus, 
osculaque opposito dicat sibi debita vento 

et nihil infido durius esse viro ? 
tu patrui meritas conare antire secures 

et Vetera oblitis iura refer sociis. 20 

nam tua non aetas umquam cessavit amori, 

semper et armatae cura fuit patriae ; 
et tibi non umquam nostros puer iste labores 

adferat et lacrimis omnia nota meis. 
me sine, quern semper voluit Fortuna iacere, 25 

hanc animam extremae redder e nequitiae. 
multi longinquo periere in amore libenter, 

in quorum numero me quoque terra tegat. 
non ego sum laudi, non natus idoneus armis : 

hanc me militiam fata subire volunt. 30 

at tu seu mollis qua tendit Ionia seu qua 

Lydia Pactoli tingit arata liquor, 
seu pedibus terras seu pontum carpere remis 

ibis, ut accepti sors erit imperii : 
turn tibi siqua mei veniet non inmemor hora, 35 

vivere me duro sidere certus eris. 



36 PEOPEETII I, 7, 1-2G ; 8, 1-4. 

VII. 

i 

Dum tibi Cadmeae dicuntur, Pontice, Thebae 

armaque fraternae tristia militiae, 
atque, ita sim felix, primo contendis Homero, 

sint modo fata tuis mollia carminibus : 
nos, tit consuemus, nostros agitamns amores 5 

atque aliquid duram quaerimus in dominam ; 
nee tantum ingenio, quantum servire dolori 

cogor et aetatis tempora dura queri. 
hie milii conteritur yitae modus, haec mea fama est, 

hinc cupio nomen carminis ire mei. 10 

me laudent doctae solum placuisse puellae, 

Pontice, et iniustas saepe tulisse minas : 
me legat adsidue post haec neglectus amator, 

et prosint illi cognita nostra mala, 
te quoque si eerto puer hie concusserit arcu, 15 

(quam nolim nostros te violasse deos !) 
longe castra tibi, longe miser agmina septem 

flebis in aeterno surda iacere situ, 
et frustra cupies mollem conponere versum, 

nee tibi subiciet carmina serus Amor. 20 

turn me non humilem mirabere saepe poetam, 

tune ego Eomanis praeferar ingeniis, 
nee poterunt iuyenes nostro reticere sepulcro 

'ardoris nostri magne poeta, iaces/ 
tu cave nostra tuo contemnas carmina fastu : 25 

saepe venit magno f enore tardus Amor. 



VIII. 

Tune igitur demens, nee te mea cura moratur ? 

an tibi sum gelida vilior Illyria, 
et tibi iam tanti, quicumque est, iste videtur, 

ut sine me vento quolibet ire velis ? 



PROPERTII I, 8, 5-26 ; U, 27-36. 37 

tune audire potes vesani murmura ponti 5 

fortis et in dura nave iacere potes ? 
tu pedibus teneris positas fulcire pruinas, 

tu potes insolitas, Cynthia, ferre nives ? 
o utinam hibernae duplicentur tempora brumae, 

et sit iners tardis navita A T ergiliis, 10 

nee tibi Tyrrhena solvatur funis arena, 

neve inimica meas elevet aura preces, 
atque ego non videam tales subsidere ventos, 

cum tibi provectas auferet unda rates, 
ut me defixum vacua patiatur in ora 15 

crudelem infesta saepe vocare manu. 
sed quocumque modo de me, periura, mereris, 

sit Galatea tuae non aliena viae, 
ut te, felici praevecta Ceraunia remo. 

accipiat placidis Oricos aequoribus. 20 

nam me non ullae pot.erunt corrumpere de te, > 

quin ego, vita, tuo limine verba querar ; 
nee me deficiet nautas rogitare citatos 

^dicite, quo portu clausa puella mea est ?' 
et dicam ' licet Atraciis considat in oris, 25 

et licet Hylleis : ilia futura mea est/ 



VIIlB. 

Hie erit ! hie iurata manet ! rumpantur iniqui ! 

vicimus : adsiduas non tulit ilia preces. 
falsa licet cupidus deponat gaudia livor : 

destitit ire novas Cynthia nostra vias. 30 

illi cams ego et per me carissima Eoma 

dicitur, et sine me dulcia regna negat. 
ilia vel angusto mecum requiescere lecto 

et quocumque modo maluit esse mea, 
quam sibi dotatae regnum vetus Hippodamiae, 35 

et quas Elis opes ante pararat equis. 



38 PROPERTII I, U, 37-46 ; 9, 1-22. 

quamvis magna daret, quamvis maiora daturus, 

non tamen ilia meos fugit avara sinus, 
hanc ego non auro, non Indis flectere conchis, 

sed potui blandi carminis obsequio. 40 

sunt igitur Musae, neque amanti tardus Apollo, 

quis ego fretus amo : Cynthia rara mea est. 
nunc mihi summa licet contingere sidera plantis : 

sive dies sen. nox venerit, ilia mea est, 
nee mihi rivalis certos subducet amores. 45 

ista meam norit gloria canitiem. 



IX. 



Dicebam tibi venturos, inrisor, amores 

nee tibi perpetuo libera yerba fore : 
ecce iaces supplexque venis ad iura puellae, 

et tibi nunc quae vis imperat empta modo. 
non me Chaoniae vincant in amore columbae 5 

dicere quos iuvenes quaeque puella domet. 
me dolor et lacrimae merito fecere peritum : 

atque utinam posito dicar amore rudis ! 
quid tibi nunc misero prodest grave dicere carmen 

aut Amphioniae moenia flere lyrae ? 10 

plus in amore yalet Mimnermi versus Homero : 

carmina mansuetus lenia quaerit Amor, 
i quaeso et tristis istos conpone libellos, 

et cane quod quaevis nosse puella velit. 
quid si non esset facilis tibi copia ? nunc tu 15 

insanus medio flumine quaeris aquam. 
necdum etiam palles, vero nee tangeris igni : 

haec est venturi prima favilla mali. 
turn magis Armenias cupies accedere tigres 

et magis infernae vincula nosse rotae, 20 

quam pueri totiens arcum sentire medullis 

et nihil iratae posse negare tuae. 



PROPERTII I, g, 23-34; n, 1-20. 39 

nullus Amor cuiquam f aciles ita praebuit alas, 

ut non alterna presserit ille manu. 
nee te decipiat, quod sit satis ilia parata : 25 

acrius ilia subit, Pontice, siqua tua est ; 
quippe ubi non liceat yacuos seducere ocellos, 

nee vigilare alio nomine cedat Amor, 
qui non ante patet, donee manus attigit ossa. 

quisquis es, adsiduas ah fuge blanditias. 30 

illis et silices possunt et cedere quercus ; 

nedum tu possis, spiritus iste levis. 
qnare, si pudor est, quam primum errata fatere : 

dicere quo pereas saepe in amore levat. 



XL 

Ecquid te mediis cessantem, Cynthia, Baiis, 

qua iacet Herculeis semita litoribus, 
et modo Thesproti mirantem subdita regno 

proxima Misenis aequora nobilibus 
nostri cura subit memores ah ducere noctes ? 5 

ecquis in extremo restat amore locus ? 
an te nescio quis simulatis ignibus hostis 

sustulit e nostris, Cynthia, earminibus ? 
atque utinam mage te remis confisa minutis 

par vula Lucrina cymba moretur aqua, 10 

aut teneat clausam tenui Teuthrantis in unda 

alternae facilis cedere lymph a manu, 
quam yacet alterius blandos audire susurros 

molliter in tacito litore conpositam, 
ut solet amota labi custode puella 15 

perfida, communes nee meminisse deos ; 
non quia perspecta non es mihi cognita fama, 

sed quod in hac omnis parte timetur amor, 
ignosces igitur, siquid tibi triste libelli 

attulerint nostri : culpa timoris erit. 20 



40 PHOPEKTII I, ii, 21-30; 12, 1-20- 

ah mihi non maior carae custodia matris 

aut sine te vitae cura sit ulla meae. 
tu mihi sola domus, tu, Cynthia, sola parentes, 

omnia tu nostrae tempora laetitiae. 
sen tristis veniam seu contra laetus amicis, 25 

quidquid ero, dicam 6 Cynthia causa fuit/ 
tu modo quam primum corruptas desere Baias : 

multis ista dabant litora discidium, 
litora, quae fuerant castis inimica puellis. 

ah pereant Baiae, crimen amoris, aquae ! 30 



XII. 

Quid mihi desidiae non cessas fingere crimen,, 

quod faciat nobis conscia Boma moram ? 
tarn multa ilia meo divisa est milia lecto, 

quantum Hypanis Veneto dissidet Eridano, 
nee mihi consuetos amplexu nutrit amores 5 

Cynthia nee nostra dulcis in aure sonat. 
olim gratus eram : non illo tempore cuiquam. 

contigit, ut simili posset amare fide, 
inyidiae f uimus : num. me deus obruit ? an quae 

lecta Prometheis dividit herba iugis ? 10 

non sum ego qui f ueram : mutat via longa puellas. 

quantus in exiguo tempore fugit amor ! 
nunc primum longas solus cognoscere noctes 

cogor et ipse meis auribus esse gravis, 
felix, qui potuit praesenti flere puellae : 15 

non nihil adspersis gaudet Amor lacrimis ; 
aut si despectus potuit mutare calores : 

sunt quoque translato gaudia servitio. 
mi neque amare aliam neque ab hac defcistere fas est : 

Cynthia prima f uit, Cynthia finis erit. 20 



PROPERTII I, 14, 1-24 ; 17, 1-6. 41 

XIV. 

Tu licet abiectus Tiberina molliter unda 

Lesbia Mentoreo vina bibas opere, 
et modo tarn celeres mireris currere lintres 

et modo tarn tardas funibus ire rates,, 
et nemus omne satas ut tendat vertice silvas, 5 

urgetur quantis Caucasus arboribus : 
non tamen ista meo valeant contendere amori : 

nescit Amor magnis cedere divitiis. 
nam sive optatam mecum trahit ilia quietem, 

seu facili totum ducit amore diem, 10 

turn milii Pactoli veniunt sub tecta liquores, 

et legitur rubris gemma sub aequoribus : 
turn mihi cessuros spondent mea gaudia reges : 

quae maneant, dum me fata perire volent. 
nam quis divitiis adverso gaudet Amore ? 15 

nulla mihi tristi praemia sint Venere ! 
ilia potest magnas lieroum infringere vires, 

ilia etiam duris mentibus esse dolor, 
ilia neque Arabium metuit transcendere limen, 

nee timet ostrino, Tulle, subire toro 20 

et miserum toto iuvenem versare cubili : 

quid relevant variis serica textilibus ? 
quae mihi dum placata aderit, non ulla verebor 

regna vel Alcinoi munera despicere. 



XVIL 

Et merito, quoniam potui fugisse puellam ! 

nunc ego desertas adloquor alcyonas. 
nee mihi Cassiope solito visura carinam, 

omniaque ingrato litore vota cadunt. 
quin etiam absenti prosunt tibi, Cynthia, venti r 

adspice, quam saevas increpat aura minas. 



42 PROPERTII I, 17, 7-28; 18, 1-10. 

nullane placatae veniet fortuna procellae ? 

haecine parva meum funus arena teget ? 
tu tamen in melius saevas converte querellas : 

sat tibi sit poenae nox et iniqua yada. 10 

an poteris siccis mea fata reponere ocellis, 

ossaque nulla tuo nostra tenere sinu ? 
ah pereat, quicumque rates et vela paravit 

primus et invito gurgite fecit iter, 
nonne fuit levius dominae pervincere mores 15 

(quamvis dura, tamen rara puella fuit), 
quam sic ignotis circumdata litora silvis 

cernere et optatos quaerere Tyndaridas ? 
illic siqua meum sepelissent fata dolorem, 

ultimus et posito staret amore lapis, 20 

ilia meo caros donasset funere crines, 

molliter et tenera poneret ossa rosa : 
ilia meum extremo clamasset pulvere nomen, 

ut mihi non ullo pondere terra foret. 
at vos, aequoreae formosa Doride natae, 25 

Candida felici solvite vela choro : 
si quando vestras labens Amor attigit undas> 

mansuetis socio parcite litoribus. 



XVIII. 

Haec certe deserta loca et taciturna querenti, 

et vacuum Zephyri possidet aura nemus : 
hie licet occultos proferre inpune dolores, 

si modo sola queant saxa tenere fldem. 
uncle tuos primum repetam, mea Cynthia, fastus 

quod mihi das flendi, Cynthia, principium ? 
qui modo felices inter numerabar amantes, 

nunc in Amore tuo cogor habere notam. 
quid tantum merui ? quae te mihi crimina mutant ? 

an nova tristitiae causa puella tuae ? 10 



v 



PROPEKTII I, 18, 11-32; 19, 1-10. 43 

sic mihi te referas leyis, ut non altera nostro 

limine formosos intulit ulla pedes, 
quamyis multa tibi dolor hie mens aspera debet, 

non ita saeva tamen yenerit ira mea ; 
nt tibi sim merito semper furor et tua flendo 15 

lumina deiectis tnrpia sint lacrimis. 
an quia parya damus mutato signa colore, 

et non ulla meo clamat in ore fides ? 
yos eritis testes, siquos habet arbor amores, 

fagus et Arcadio pinus arnica cleo. 20 

ah quotiens teneras resonant mea yerba sub umbras, 

scribitur et yestris Cynthia corticibus ! 
an tua quod peperit nobis iniuria curas 

quae solum tacitis cognita sunt foribus ? 
omnia consueyi timidus perferre superbae 25 

iussa neque arguto facta dolore queri. 
pro quo diyini fontes et frigida rupes 

et datur inculto tramite dura quies ; 
et quodcumque meae possunt narrare querellae, 

cogor ad argutas dicere solus ayes. 30 

sed qualiscumque es, resonent mihi ' Cynthia 9 silyae, 

nee deserta tuo nomine saxa yacent. 



XIX. 

Non ego nunc tristes yereor, mea Cynthia, Manes, 

nee moror extremo debita fata rogo ; 
sed ne forte tuo careat mihi funus amore, 

hie timor est ipsis durior exequiis. 
non adeo leyiter nostris puer haesit ocellis, 5 

ut meus oblito pulyis amore yacet. 
illic Phylacides incundae coniugis heros 

non potuit caecis inmemor esse locis, 
sed cupidus f alsis attingere gaudia palmis 

Thessalus antiquam yenerat umbra domum. 10 



44 PROPERTII I, 19, 11-26; 22, 1-10." 

illic quidquid ero, semper tua dicar imago : 

traicit et fati litora magnus amor, 
illic formosae veniant chorus heroinae, 

quas dedit Argivis Dardana praeda viris ; 
quarum nulla tua fuerit mihi, Cynthia, forma 15 

gratior et (Tellus hoc ita iusta sinat) 
quamvis te longae remorentur fata senectae, 

cara tamen lacrimis ossa futura meis. 
quae tu viva mea possis sentire favilla ! 

turn mihi non ullo mors sit amara loco. 20 

quam vereor, ne te contempto, Cynthia, busto 

abstrahat a nostro pulvere iniquus Amor, 
cogat et invitam lacrimas siccare cadentes. 

flectitur adsiduis certa puella minis, 
quare, dum licet, inter nos laetemur amantes : 25 

non satis est ullo tempore longus amor. 



XXII. 

Qualis et unde genus, qui sint mihi, Tulle, Penates, 

quaeris pro nostra semper amicitia. 
si Perusina tibi patriae sunt nota sepulcra, 

Italiae duris funera temporibus, 
cum Eomana suos egit discordia cives 5 

(sic, mihi praecipue, pulvis Etrusca, dolor, 
tu proiecta mei perpessa es membra propinqui, 

tu nullo miseri contegis ossa solo), 
proxima supposito contingens Vmbria campo 

me genuit terris fertilis uberibus. 10 



SEX. PEOPERTII 
LIBEK SECVNDVS. 



Quaeritis, uncle milii totiens scribantur amores, 

unde meus yeniat mollis in ora liber. 
non haec Calliope,, non liaec mihi cantat Apollo : 

ingenium nobis ipsa puella facit. 
sive. illam Cois fulgentem incedere cogis, 5 

hoc totum e Coa veste volumen erit : 
seu yidi ad frontem sparsos errare capillos, 

gaudet laudatis ire superba comis : 
siye lyrae carmen digitis percussit eburnis., 

miramur, faciles ut premat arte manns : 10 

seu cum poscentes somnum declinat ocellos, 

inyenio causas mille poeta novas : 
seu nuda erepto mecum luctatur amictu, 

turn vero longas condimus Iliadas : 
seu quidquid fecit siye est quodcumque locuta, 15 

maxima de nihilo nascitur historia. 
quod mihi si tantum, Maecenas, fata dedissent, 

ut possem heroas ducere in arma manus, 
non ego Titanas canerem, non Ossan Olympo 

inpositam, ut caeli Pelion esset iter, 20 

non yeteres Thebas, nee Pergama nomen Homeri, 

Xerxis et imperio bina coisse vada, 
regnaye prima Remi aut animos Carthaginis altae, 

Cimbrorumque minas et benefacta Mari : 



46 PROPERTII II, i, 25-60. 

bellaque resque tui memorarem Caesaris, et tu 25 

Caesare sub magno cura secunda fores, 
nam quotiens Mutinam aut civilia busta Philippos 

aut canerem Siculae classica bella fugae 
eversosque focos antiquae gentis Etruscae 

et Ptolemaei litora capta Phari, 30 

aut canerem Aegyptum et NTLum, cum tractus in urbem 

septem captivis debilis ibat aquis, 
aut regum auratis circumdata colla catenis, 

Actiaque in Sacra currere rostra Via,, 
te mea Musa illis semper contexeret armis, 35 

et sumpta et posita pace fidele caput. 
Theseus infernis, superis testatur Achilles, 

hie Ixioniden, ille Menoetiaden. 
sed neque Phlegraeos Iovis Enceladique tumultus 

intonet angusto pectore Callimachus, 40 

nee mea conveniunt duro praecordia versu 

Caesaris in Phrygios condere nomen avos. 
navita de ventis, de tauris narrat arator, 

et numerat miles yulnera, pastor oves, 
nos contra angusto versantis proelia lecto : 45 

qua pote quisque, in ea conterat arte diem, 
laus in amore mori, laus altera, si datur uno 

posse frui : fruar o solus amore meo ! 
si memini, solet ilia leves culpare puellas,, 

et totam ex Helena non probat Iliada. 50 

seu mihi sunt tangenda novercae pocula Phaedrae, 

pocula privigno non nocitura suo, 
seu mihi Circaeo pereundum est gramine, sive 

Colchis Iolciacis urat aena focis, 
una meos quoniam praedata est femina sensus, 55 

ex hac ducentur funera nostra clomo. 
omnes humanos sanat medicina dolores : 

solus amor morbi non amat artificem. 
tarda Philoctetae sanavit crura Machaon, 

Phoenicis Chiron lumina Phillyrides, 60 



PROPERTII II, i, 61-78 ; 2, 1-14. 47 

et deus extinctum Cressis Epidaurius herbis 

restituit patriis Androgeona f ocis, 
Mysus et Haemonia iuvenis qua cuspide yulnus 

senserat, liac ipsa cuspide sensit opem. 
hoc siquis vitium poterit mihi demere, solus _ 65 

Tantaleae poterit tradere poma manu : 
dolia virgineis idem ille repleverit urnis, 

ne tenera adsidua colla graventur aqua : 
idem Caucasea solvet de rupe Promethei 

bracchia et a medio pectore pellet avem. 70 

quandocumque igitur vitam mea fata reposcent 

et breve in exiguo marmore nomen ero, 
Maecenas, nostrae spes invidiosa iuventae, 

et vitae et morti gloria iusta meae, 
si te forte meo ducet via proxima busto, 75 

esseda caelatis siste Britanna iugis, 
taliaque inlacrimans mutae iace verba favillae, 

<huic misero fatum dura puella fuit/ 



II. 



Liber eram et vacuo meditabar vivere lecto : 

at me conposita pace f ef ellit Amor, 
cur haec in terris facies hum ana moratur ? 

Iuppiter, ignoro pristina furta tua. 
fulva coma est longaeque maims, et maxima toto 5 

corpore, et incedit vel love digna soror, 
aut cum Munychias Pallas spatiatur ad aras, 

Gorgonis anguiferae pectus operta comis. 
qualis et Ischomache Lapithae genus heroine, 

Centauris medio grata rapina mero, 10 

Mercurio talis fertur Boebeidos undis 

virgineum Brimo conposuisse latus. 
cedite iam, divae, quas pastor viderat olim 

Idaeis tunicas ponere verticibus. 



48 PEOPERTII II, 2, 15-16 ; 3, 1-30. 

hanc utinam faciem nolit mutare senectus, 15 

etsi Cumaeae saecula vatis aget. 



III. 



Qui nullam tibi dicebas iam posse nocere, 

haesisti, cecidit spiritus ille tuns. 
vix unum potes, infelix, requiescere mensem, 

et turpis de te iam liber alter erit. 
quaerebam, sicca si posset piscis arena 5 

nee solitus ponto vivere torvus aper, 
aut ego si possem studiis vigilare severis : 

cliffertur, numquam tollitur ullus amor, 
nee me tarn fades, quamvis sit Candida, cepit 

(lilia non domina sint magis alba mea ; 10 

ut Maeotica nix minio si certet Hibero, 

utque rosae puro lacte natant folia), 
nee de more comae per levia colla fluentes, 

non oculi, geminae, sidera nostra, faces, 
nee siqua Arabio lucet bombyce puella 15 

(non sum de nihilo blandus amator ego), 
quantum quod posito formose sal tat Iaccho, 

egit ut euhantes dux Ariadna choros, 
et quantum, Aeolio cum temptat carmina plectro, 

par Aganippeae ludere docta lyrae, 20 

et, sua cum antiquae committit scripta Corinnae 

carmina, quae quivis, non putat aequa suis. 
non tibi nascenti primis, mea vita, diebus 

candidus argutum sternuit omen Amor ? 
haec tibi contulerunt caelestia munera divi, 25 

haec tibi ne matrem forte dedisse putes. 
non non humani partus sunt talia dona : 

ista decern menses non pepe'rere bona, 
gloria Eomanis una es tu nata puellis : 

Eomana accumbes prima puella Iovi. 30 



PEOPERTII II, 3, 31-44 ; 5, 1-1S. 49 

nec semper nobiscum humana cubilia vises. 

post Helenam liaec terris forma secimda redit. 
liac ego nunc mirer si flagret nostra iuventus ? 

pulchrius liac fuerat, Troia, perire tibi. 
olim mirabar, quod tanti ad Pergama belli 35 

Europae atque Asiae causa puella fuit : 
nunc, Pari, tu sapiens et tu, Menelae, fuisti, 

tu quia poscebas, tu quia lentus eras, 
digna quiclem facies, pro qua vel obiret Achilles : 

vel Priamo belli causa probanda fuit. 40 

siquis vult fama tabulas anteire yetustas, 

hie dominam exemplo ponat in arte meam. 
sive illam Hesperiis, sive illam ostendet Eois, 

uret et Eoos, uret et Hesperios. 



Hoc verum est, tota te f erri, Cynthia, Soma 

et non ignota vivere nequitia ? 
haec merui sperare ? dabis mihi, perfida, poenas : 

et nobis aliquo, Cynthia, veatus erit. 
inveniam tamen e multis fallacibus imam 5 

quae fieri nostro carmine nota velit, 
nec mihi tarn cluris insultet moribus et te 

vellicet : hen sero flebis amata diu. 
nunc est ira recens, nunc est discedere tempus : 

si dolor afuerit, crede, redibit amor. 10 

non ita Carpathian variant Aquilonibus undae 

nec dubio nubes vertitur atra Noto, 
quam facile irati verbo mutantur amantes : 

dum licet, iniusto subtrahe colla iugo. 
nec tu non aliquid, sed prima nocte, dolebis : 15 

omne in amore malum, si patiare, leve est. 
at tu per dominae Iunonis dulcia iura 

parce tuis animis, yita 3 nocere tibi. 
4 



50 PKOPEETII II, 5, 19-30 ; 6, 1-20. 

non solum taurus ferit uncis cornibus hostem, 

verum etiam instanti laesa repugnat ovis. 20 

nee tibi periiiro scindam de corpore vestem, 

nee mea praeclusas fregerit ira fores, 
nee tibi conexos iratus carpere crines 

nee duris ausim laedere pollicibus. 
rusticus haec aliquis tarn turpia proelia quaerat, 25 

cuius non hederae circuiere caput, 
scribam igitur, quod non umquam tua deleat aetas, 

c Cynthia forma potens, Cynthia verba levis/ 
crede mini, quamvis contemnas murmura famae, 

hie tibi pallori, Cynthia, versus erit. 30 



VI. 

Non ita conplebant Ephyreae Laidos aedes, 

ad cuius iacuit Graecia tota fores, 
turba Menandreae fuerat nee Thaidos olim 

tanta, in qua populus lusit Erich thonius, 
nee quae deletas potuit conponere Thebas, 5 

Phryne tarn multis facta beata viris. 
quin efciam falsos fingis tibi saepe propinquos, 

oscula nee desunt qui tibi iure ferant. 
me iuvenum pictae facies, me nomina laedunt, 

me tener in cunis et sine voce puer, 10 

me laedit, si multa tibi dedit oscula mater, 

me soror et cum quae dormit arnica simul : 
omnia me laedunt : timidus sum (ignosce timori) 

et miser in tunica suspicor esse virum. 
his olim, ut fama est, vitiis ad proelia ventum est, 15 

his Troiana vides funera principiis. 
aspera Centauros eadem dementia iussit 

frangere in adversum pocula Pirithoum. 
cur exempla petam Graium ? tu criminis auctor, 

nutritus duro, Komule, lacte lupae : 20 



PROPEKTII II, 6, 21-42 ; 10, 1-4. 5 I 

* * * 
tu rapere intactas docuisti inpune Sabinas : 

per te nunc Eomae quidlibet audet Amor, 
felix Admeti coniunx et lectus Vlixis,, 
et quaecumque viri femina limen amat. 

* * ♦ 

templa Pudicitiae quid opus statuisse puellis, 25 

si cuivis nuptae quidlibet esse licet ? 
quae manus obscaenas depinxit prima tabellas 

et posuit casta turpia visa domo, 
ilia puellarum ingenuos corrupit ocellos 

nequitiaeque suae noluit esse rudes. 30 

ah gemat, in terris ista qui protulit arte 

iurgia sub tacita condita laetitia. 
non istis olim yariabant tecta figuris : 

turn paries nullo crimine pictus erat. 

* ♦ ^ 

sed non inmerito velavit aranea fanum 35 

et mala desertos occupat herba deos. 

* * * 
quos igitur tibi custodes, quae limina ponam, 

quae numquam supra pes inimicus eat ? 
nam nihil invitae tristis custodia prodest : 

quam peccare pudet, Cynthia,, tuta sat est. 40 

* ♦ * 

nos uxor numquam, numquam diducet arnica : 
semper arnica mini, semper et uxor eris. 



X. 



Sed tempus lustrare aliis Helicona choreis, 
et campum Haemonio iam dare tempus equo. 

iam libet et fortes memorare ad proelia turmas 
et Eomana mei dicere castra ducis. 



52 PROPERTII II, 10, 5-26; II, 1-6; 12, 1-2. 

quod si deficiant vires, audacia certe 5 

laus erit : in magnis et voluisse sat est. 
aetas prima canat Veneres, extrema tumultus : 

bella canam, quando scripta puella mea est. 
nunc volo subducto gravior procedere vultu, 

nunc aliam citharam me mea Musa docet. 10 

surge, anime, ex humili iam carmine : sumite vires, 

Pierides : magni nunc erit oris opus, 
iam negat Euphrates equitem post terga tueri 

Parthorum et Crassos se tenuisse dolet : 
India quin, Auguste, tuo dat colla triumpho, 15 

et domus intactae te tremit Arabiae : 
et siqua extremis tellus se subtraliit oris, 

sentiat ilia tuas postmodo capta manus. 
haec ego castra sequar : vates tua castra canendo 

magnus ero : servent hunc milii fata diem ! 20 

ut caput in magnis ubi non est tangere signis, 

ponitur hie imos ante corona pedes, 
sic nos nunc, inopes laudis conscendere culmen, 

pauperibus sacris vilia tura damus. 
nondum etenim Ascraeos norunt mea carmina f ontes, 25 

sed modo Permessi flumine lavit Amor. 

XI. 

Scribant de te alii vel sis ignota licebit : 

laudet, qui sterili semina ponit humo. 
omnia, crede mihi, tecum uno munera lecto 

auferet extremi f uneris atra dies : 
et tua transibit contemnens ossa viator, 5 

nee dicet ' cinis hie docta puella fuit/ 

XII. 

Quicumque ille f uit, puerum qui pinxit Amorem, 
nonne putas miras hunc habuisse manus ? 



PROPERTII II, 12, 3-24; 13, 1-10. 53 

hie primum yidit sine sensu vivere amantes 

et levibus curis magna perire bona, 
idem non frustra ventosas addidit alas, 5 

fecit et humano corde volare deum ; 
scilicet alterna quoniam iactamur in unda, 

nostraque non nllis permanet aura locis. 
et merito hamatis manus est armata sagittis, 

et pharetra ex umero G-nosia utroque iacet ; 10 

ante ferit quoniam, tuti quam cernimus hostem, 

nee quisquam ex illo yulnere sanus abit. 
in me tela manent, manet et puerilis imago : 

sed certe pennas perdidit ille suas ; 
evolat lieu nostro quoniam de pectore nusquam 15 

adsiduusque meo sanguine bella gerit. 
qui tibi iucundum est siccis habitare medullis ? 

si pudor est, alio traice tela tua ! 
intactos isto satius temptare veneno : 

non ego, sed tenuis vapulat umbra mea. 20 

quam si perdideris, quis erit qui talia cantet 

(haec mea Musa levis gloria magna tua est), 
qui caput et digitos et lamina nigra puellae 

et canat ut soleant molliter ire pedes ? 



XIII. 

Non tot Achaemeniis armantur Susa sagittis, 

spiciila quot nostro pectore fixit Amor, 
hie me tarn graciles vetuit contemnere Musas, 

iussit et Ascraeum sic habitare nemus, 
non ut Pieriae quercus mea verba sequantur, 5 

ant possim Ismaria ducere valle feras, 
sed magis ut nostro stupefiat Cynthia versu : 

tunc ego sim Inachio notior arte Lino, 
non ego sum formae tantum mirator honestae, 

nee siqua inlustres femina iactat avos : 10 



54 PEOPERTII II, 13, 11-16 ; 13^, 17-42. 

me iuvet in gremio doctae legisse puellae, 

auribus et puris scripta probasse mea. 
haec ubi contigerint, populi confusa valeto 

fabula : nam domina iudice tutus ero. 
quae si forte bonas ad pacem verterit aures, 15 

possum inimicitias tunc ego f erre Iovis. 



XITIb. 

Quandocumque igitur nostros mors claudet ocellos, 

accipe quae serves funeris acta mei. 
nee mea turn longa spatietur imagine pompa, 

nee tuba sit fati vana querella mei, 20 

nee mihi turn fulcro sternatur lectus eburno, 

nee sit in Attalico mors mea nixa toro. 
desit odoriferis ordo mihi lancibus, adsint 

plebei parvae funeris exequiae. 
sat mea sat magna est, si tres sint pompa libelli, 25 

quos ego Persephonae maxima dona feram. 
tu vero nudum pectus lacerata sequeris, 

nee fueris nomen lassa vocare meum, 
osculaque in gelidis pones suprema labellis, 

cum dabitur Syrio munere plenus onyx. 30 

deinde, ubi suppositus cinerem me f ecerit ardor, 

accipiat Manes parvula testa meos, 
et sit in exiguo laurus super addita busto, 

quae tegat extincti funeris umbra locum, 
et duo sint versus, ' qui nunc iacet horrida pulvis, 35 

unius hie quondam servus amoris erat/ 
nee minus haec nostri notescet fama sepulchri, 

quam fuerant Phthii busta cruenta viri. 
tu quoque si quando venies ad fata, memento 

hoc iter ad lapides cana veni memores. 40 

interea cave sis nos adspernata sepultos : 

nonnihil ad verum conscia terra sapit. 



PROPERTII II, 130, 43-58; 19, 1-16. 55 

atque utinam primis animam me ponere cunis 

iussisset quaeyis de tribus una soror ! 
nam quo tarn dubiae servetur spiritus horae ? 45 

Nestoris est yisus post tria saecla cinis. 
quis tarn longaevae minuisset fata senectae 

Gallicus Iliacis miles in aggeribus ! 
non ille Antilochi vidisset corpus human, 

diceret ant ' o Mors, cur mihi sera venis ?' 50 

tu tamen amisso non numquam flebis amico : 

fas est praeteritos semper amare viros. 
testis, cui niveum quondam percussit Adonem 

venantem Idalio vertice durus aper : 
illis formosum iacuisse paludibus, illuc 55 

diceris effusa tu, Yenus, isse coma, 
sed frustra mutos revocabis, Cynthia, Manes : 

nam mea quid poterunt ossa minuta loqui ? 



XIX. 

Etsi me invito discedis, Cynthia, Eoma, 

laetor quod sine me devia rura coles, 
nullus erit castis iuvenis corruptor in agris, 

qui te blanditiis non sinat esse probam. 
nulla neque ante tuas orietur rixa fenestras, 5 

nee tibi clamatae somnus amarus erit. 
sola eris et solos spectabis, Cynthia, montes 1 

et pecus et fines pauperis agricolae. 
illic te nulli poterunt corrumpere ludi 

fanaque peccatis plurima causa tuis : 10 

illic adsidue tauros spectabis arantes 

et vitem docta ponere falce comas, 
atque ibi rara feres inculto tura sacello, 

haedus ubi agrestes corruet ante focos, 
protinus et nuda choreas imitabere sura ; 15 

omnia ab externo sint modo tuta viro. 



$6 PROPERTII IT, 19, 17-32; 27, 1-16. 

ipse ego venabor : iam nunc me sacra Dianae 

suscipere et Veneri ponere vota iuvat. 
incipiam captare f eras et reddere pinu 

cornua et audaces ipse monere canes ; 20 

non tamen ut vastos ausim temptare leones 

aut celer agrestes comminus ire sues. 
haec igitur mihi sit lepores audacia molles 

excipere et stricto figere avem calamo, 
qua f ormosa suo Clitumnus flumina luco 25 

integit et niveos abluit unda boves. 
tu quotiens aliquid conabere, vita, memento 

yenturum paucis me tibi Luciferis. 
sic me nee solae poterunt ayertere silyae 

nee yaga muscosis flumina fusa iugis, 30 

quin ego in adsidua motem tua nomina lingua, 

absenti nemo ne nocuisse velit. 



XXVII. 

At yos incertam, mortales, funeris horam 

quaeritis, et qua sit mors aditura via, 
quaeritis et caelo Phoenicum inventa sereno, 

quae sit stella homini commoda quaeque mala, 
seu pedibus Parthos sequimur seu classe Britannos, 5 

et maris et terrae caeca pericla viae, 
rursus et obiectum fletis capiti esse tumultum, 

cum Mavors dubias miscet utrimque manus ; 
praeterea domibns flammam domibusque ruinas, 

neu subeant labris pocula nigra tuis. 10 

solus amans novit, quando periturus et a qua 

morte, neque hie Boreae flabra neque arma timet, 
iam licet et Stygia sedeat sub arundine remex, 

cernat et infernae tristia vela ratis : 
si modo clamantis revocaverit aura puellae, 15 

concessum nulla lege redibit iter. 



PROPERTII II, 28, 1-34. 57 

XXVIII. 

Iuppiter, adfectae tandem miserere puellae : 

tarn formosa tuum mortua crimen erit. 
venit enim tempus, quo torridus aestuat aer, 

incipit et siceo feryere terra Cane. 
sed non tarn ardoris culpa est neque crimina caeli, 5 

quam totiens sanctos non habuisse deos. 
hoc perdit miseras, hoc perdidit ante puellas : 

quidquid iurarunt, ventus et unda rapit. 
num sibi collatam doluit Venus ? ilia peraeque 

prae se formosis invidiosa dea est. 10 

an contempta tibi Iunonis templa Pelasgae, 

Palladis aut oculos ausa negare bonos ? 
semper, formosae, non nostis parcere verbis. 

hoc tibi lingua nocens, hoc tibi forma dedit. 
sed tibi vexatae per multa pericula vitae 15 

extremo veniet mollior hora die. 
Io versa caput primos mugiverat annos : 

nunc dea, quae Nili flumina vacca bibit. 
Ino etiam prima terris, aetate vagata est : 

hanc miser inplorat navita Leucothoen, 20 

Andromede monstris fuerat devota marinis : 

haeo eadem Persei nobilis uxor erat. 
Callisto Arcadios erraverat ursa per agros : 

haec nocturna suo sidere vela regit. 
quod si forte tibi properarint fata quietem, 25 

ilia sepulturae fata beata tuae. 
narrabis Semelae, quo sit formosa periclo, 

credet et ilia, suo docta puella malo ; 
et tibi Maeonias inter heroidas omnis 

primus erit nulla non tribuente locus. 30 

nunc, utcumque potes, fato gere saucia morem : 

et deus et durus vertitur ipse dies, 
hoc tibi vel poterit, coniunx, ignoscere Iuno : 

frangitur et Iuno, siqua puella perit. 



58 PROPERTII II, 2 8£, 35-46; 28r, 47-62. 

XXVIIIb. 

Deflciunt magico torti sub carmine rhombi, 35 

et iacet extincto laurus adusta f oco, 
et iam Luna negat totiens descendere caelo, 

nigraque funestum concinit omen avis, 
una ratis fati nostros portabit amores 

caerula ad infernos velificata lacus. 40 

si non unius, quaeso, miserere duorum. 

vivam, si vivet : si cadet ilia, cadam. 
pro quibus optatis sacro me carmine damno : 

scribam ego ' per magnum salva puella Ioyem 9 ; 
ante tuosque pedes ilia ipsa operata sedebit, 45 

narrabitque sedens longa pericla sua. 

XXVIIIc. 

Haec tua, Persephone, maneat dementia, nee tu, 

Perseplionae coniunx, saevior esse velis. 
sunt apud infernos tot milia formosarum : 

pulchra sit in superis, si licet, una locis. 50 

vobiscum est lope, vobiscum Candida Tyro, 

vobiscum Europe nee proba Pasiphae, 
et quot Troia tulit vetus et quot Achaia formas, 

et Phoebi et Priami diruta regna senis : 
et quaecumque erat in numero Eomana puella, 55 

occidit : has omnes ignis ayarus habet. 
nee forma aeternum aut cuiquam est f ortuna perennis : 

longius aut propius mors sua quemque manet. 
tu quoniam es, mea lux, magno dimissa periclo, 

munera Dianae debita redde choros, 60 

redde etiam excubias divae nunc, ante iuvencae, 

votivas noctes et mihi solve decern. 



PROPERTII II, 31, 1-16 ; 34, 1-14. 59 

XXXI. 

Quaeris, cur veniani tibi tardior. aurea Phoebi 

porticus a magno Caesare aperta fuit. 
tanta erat in speciem Poenis digesta columnis, 

inter quas Danai femina turba senis. 
hie equidem Plioebo visus mihi pulchrior ipso 5 

• marmoreus tacita carmen hiare lyra, 
atque aram circnm steterant armenta Myronis, 

quattuor artifices, viyida signa, boves. 
turn medium claro surgebat marmore templum 

et patria Phoebo carius Ortygia. 10 

in quo Solis erat supra fastigia currus, 

et valvae, Libyci nobile dentis opus, 
altera deiectos Parnasi vertice Gallos, 

altera maerebat funera Tantalidos. 
deinde inter mat rem cleus ipse interque sororem 15 

Pythius in longa carmina veste sonat. 

XXXIV. 

Cur quisquam faciem dominae iam credit amico ? 

sic erepta mihi paene puella mea est. 
expertus dico, nemo est in amore fidelis : 

formosam raro non sibi quisque petit. 
polluit ille deus cognatos, solvit amicos, 5 

et bene Concordes tristia ad arma vocat. 
hospes in hospitium Menelao venit adulter : 

Colchis et ignotum nonne secuta virum est ? 
Lvnceu, tune meam potuisti, perfide, curam 

tangere ? nonne tuae turn ceciclere manus ? 10 

quid si non constans ilia et tarn certa fuisset ? 

posses in tanto vivere flagitio ? 
tu mihi vel f erro pectus vel perde veneno : 

a domina tantum te moclo tolle mea. 



60 PROPERTII II, 34, 15-50. 

te socium vitae, te corporis esse licebit, 15 

te dominum admitto rebus, amice, meis : 
lecto te solum, lecto te deprecor uno : 

rivalem possum non ego ferre Iovem. 
ipse meas solus, quod nil est, aemulor umbras, 

stultus, quod stulto saepe timore tremo. 20 

una tamen causa est, qua crimina tanta remitto, 

errabant multo quod tua verba mero. 
sed numquam vitae fallet me ruga severae : 

omnes iam norunt, quam sit amare bonum. 
Lynceus ipse meus seros insanit amores. 25 

serum te nostros laetor adire deos. 
quid tua Socraticis tibi nunc sapientia libris 

proderit aut rerum dicere posse vias ? 
aut quid Crethei tibi prosunt carmina lecta ? 

nil iuvat in magno vester amore senex. 30 

tu Latiis Meropem Musis imitere Philetan 

et non inflati somnia Callimachi. 
nam cursus licet Aetoli ref eras Acheloi, 

fluxerit ut magno fractus amore liquor, 
atque etiam ut Phrygio fallax Maeandria campo 35 

errat et ipsa suas decipit unda vias, 
qualis et Adrasti fuerit vocalis Arion, 

tristis ad Archemori funera victor equus : 
non Amphiareae prosint tibi fata quadrigae 

aut Capanei magno grata ruina Iovi. 40 

desine et Aeschyleo conponere verba cotliurno, 

desine, et ad molles membra resolve choros. 
incipe iam angusto versus includere torno, 

inque tuos ignes, dure poeta, veni. 
tu non Antimaclio, non tutior ibis Homero : 45 

despicit et magnos recta puella deos. # 

sed non ante gravi taurus succumbit aratro, 

cornua quam validis haeserit in laqueis, 
nee tu tarn duros per te patieris amores : 

trux tamen a nobis ante domandus eris. 50 



PROPERTII II, 34, 51-86. 6l 

harum nulla solet rationem quaerere mundi, 

nee cur fraternis Luna laboret equis, 
nee si post Stygias aliquid restabimus undas, 

nee si consulto fulmina missa tonent. 
adspice me, cui parva domi fortuna relicta est, 55 

nullus et antiquo Marte triumplius avi, 
ut regnem mixtas inter conriva puellas 

hoc ego, quo tibi nunc elevor, ingenio. 
me iuvet hesternis positum languere corollis, 

quern tetigit iactu certus ad ossa deus, 60 

Actia Vergilium custodis litora Phoebi, 

Caesaris et fortes dicere posse rates, 
qui nunc Aeneae Troiani suscitat arma 

iactaque Lavinis moenia litoribus. 
cedite Eomani scriptores, cedite Grai : 65 

nescio quid maius nascitur Iliade. 
tu canis umbrosi subter pineta Galaesi 

Thyrsin et attritis Daphnin arundinibus, 
utque decern possint corrumpere mala puellas, 

missus et inpressis haedus ab uberibus. 70 

felix, qui viles pomis mercaris amores ! 

huic licet ingratae Tityrus ipse caiiat. 
felix intactum Corydon qui temptat Alexin 

agricolae domini carpere delicias ! 
quamvis ille sua l^ssus requiescat avena, 75 

laudatur faciles inter Hamadryadas. 
tu canis Ascraei veteris praecepta poetae, 

quo seges in campo, quo viret uva iugo. 
tale facis carmen, docta testudine quale 

Cynthius inpositis temperat articulis. 80 

non tamen liaec ulli venient ingrata legenti, 

sive in am ore rudis sive peritus erit. 
nee minor his animis aut sim minor ore : canorus 

anseris indocto carmine cessit olor. 
haec quoque perfecto luclebat Iasone Varro, 85 

Varro Leucadiae maxima flamma suae. 



62 PKOPEETII II, 34, 87-94. 

haec quoque lascivi cantarunt scripta Catulli, 

Lesbia quis ipsa notior est Helena, 
liaec etiam docti confessa est pagina Calvi, 

cum caneret miserae funera Quintiliae. 90 

et modo formosa quam multa Lycoride Gallus 

mortuus inf erna vulnera lavit aqua ! 
Cynthia quin etiam yersu laudata Property 

hos inter si me ponere Fama yolet. 



? 



SEX. PROPERTII 
LIBEE TEKTIVS. 

I. 

Callimachi Manes et Coi sacra Philetae, 

in vestrum, quaeso, me smite ire nemus. 
primus ego ingredior puro de fonte sacerdos 

Itala per Graios orgia ferre chores, 
dicite, quo pariter carmen tenuastis in antro ? 

quove pede ingressi ? quamve bibistis aquam 
ah valeat. Phoebum quicumque moratur in armis ! 

exactus tenui pumice versus eat. 
quo me Fania levat terra sublimis, et a me 

nata coronatis Musa triumphat equis, 10 

et mecum in curru parvi vectantur Am ores, 

scriptorumque meas turba secuta rotas, 
quid frustra missis in me certatis habenis ? 

non datur ad Musas currere lata via. 
multi, Eoma, tuas laudes annalibus addent, 15 

qui finem imperii Bactra futura canent : 
sed, quod pace legas, opus hoc de monte sororum 

detulit intacta pagina nostra via. 
inollia, Pegasides, date vestro serta poetae : 

non faciet capiti dura corona meo. 20 

at mihi quod vivo detraxerit invida turba, 

post obitum duplici fenore reddet Honos. 
omnia post obitum fingit maiora vetustas : 

mains ab exequiis nomen in ora venit. 



64 PROPERTII III,, 1, 25-40 ; 2, 1-20. 

nam quis equo pulsas abiegno nosceret arces, 25 

fluminaque Haemonio cominus isse viro, 
Idaeum Simoenta Iovis cum prole Scamandro, 

Hectora per campos ter maculasse rotas ? 
Deipliobumque Helenumque et Polydamanta et in armis 

qualemc unique Parin vix sua nosset humus. 30 

exiguo sermone fores nunc, Ilion, et tu 

Troia bis Oetaei numine capta dei. 
nee non ille tui casus memorator Homerus 

posteritate suum crescere sensit opus, 
meque inter seros laudabit Eoma nepotes : 35 

ilium post cineres auguror ipse diem, 
ne mea contempto lapis indicet ossa sepulcro, 

provisun est Lycio vota probante deo. 
carminis interea nostri redeamus in orbem, 

gaudeat in solito tacta puella sono. 40 

Orphea detinuisse feras et concita dicunt (11) 

flumina Threicia sustinuisse lyra : 
saxa Cithaeronis Thebas agitata per artem 

spon'te sua in muri membra coisse ferunt : 
quin etiam, Polypheme, fera Galatea sub Aetna 5 

ad tua rorantes carmina flexit equos : 
miremur, nobis et Bacclio et Apolline dextro, 

turba puellarum si mea verba colit ? 
quod non Taenariis domus est mihi fulta columnis, 

nee camera auratas inter eburna trabes, 10 

nee camera Phaeacas aequant pomaria silvas, 

non operosa rigat Marcius antra liquor : 
at Musae comites et carmina cara legenti, 

et defessa clioris Calliopea meis. 
fortunata, meo siqua es celebrata libello ! 15 

carmina erunt formae tot monimenta tuae. 
nam neque pyramiclum sumptus ad sidera ducti, 

nee Iovis Elei caelum imitata domus, 
nee Mausolei dives f ortuna sepulcliri 

mortis ab extrema condicione vacant, 20 



PEOPEKTII III, 2, 21-24 ; 3, 1-28. 65 



aut illis flamma aut imber subducet honores, 
annorum aut ictu pondera yicta ruent. 

at 11011 ingenio quaesitum nomen ab aevo 
excidet : ingenio stat sine morte decus. 



III. 

Visus eram molli recubans Heliconis in umbra, 

Bellerophontei qua fluit umor equi, 
reges, Alba, tuos et regum facta tuorum, 

tantuni operis, nervis liiscere posse meis, 
parvaque tarn magnis admoram fontibus ora, 5 

unde pater sitiens Ennius ante bibit„ 
et cecini Curios fratres et Horatia pila, 

regiaque Aemilia vecta tropaea rate, 
yictricesque moras Fabii pugnamque sinistram 

Cannensem et versos ad pia vota deos, 10 

Hannibalemque Lares Eomana sede fugantes, 

anseris et tutum voce fuisse Iovem ; 
cum me Gastalia speculans ex arbore Phoebus 

sic ait aurata nixus ad antra lyra : 
' quid tibi cum tali, demens, est flumine ? quis te 15 

carminis lieroi tangere iussit opus ? 
non hie ulla tibi, speranda est fama, Properti : 

mollia sunt parvis prata terenda rotis, 
ut tuus in scamno iactetur saepe libellus, 

quern legat expectans sola puella virum. 20 

cur tua praescripto sevecta est pagina gyro ? 

11011 est ingenii cymba gravanda tui. 
alter renins aquas, alter tibi radat arenas : 

tutus eris : medio maxima turba mari est/ 
dixerat, et plectro sedem mihi monstrat eburno, 25 

qua nova muscoso semita facta solo est. 
hie erat adfixis viridis spelunca lapillis, 

pendebantque cavis tympana pumicibus. 
5 



66 PKOPEBTII III, 3, £9-52 ; 4, 1-8. 

orgia mystarum et Sileni patris imago 

fictilis, et calami, Pan Tegeaee, tui, 30 

et Veneris dominae volucres, mea turba, columbae 

tingunt Gorgoneo Punica rostra lacu, 
diversaeque novem sortitae rura puellae 

exercent teneras in sua dona manus. 
haec hederas legit in thyrsos, liaec carmina nervis 35 

aptat, at ilia manu texit utraque rosam. 
e quarum numero me contigit una dearnm : 

(ut reor a facie, Calliopea fuit) : 
c contentus niveis semper vectabere cycnis, 

nee te fortis equi ducet ad arma sonus. 40 

nil tibi sit rauco praeconia classica cornu 

flare nee Aonium tinguere Marte nemus, 
aut'quibus in campis Mariano proelia signo 

stent et Teutonicas Eoma refringat opes, 
barbarus aut Suevo perfusus sanguine Ehenus 45 

saucia maerenti corpora yectet aqua, 
quippe coronatos alienum ad limen amantes 

nocturnaeque canes ebria signa fugae, 
ut per te clausas sciat excantare puellas, 

qui volet austeros arte ferire viros/ 50 

talia Calliope, lymphisque a fonte petitis 

ora Philetaea nostra rigavit aqua. 



IV. 



Arma deus Caesar dites meditatur ad Indos, 

et freta gemmif eri findere classe maris, 
magna, viri, merces. parat ultima terra triumphos : 

Tigris et Euphrates sub sua iura fluent : 
sera, sed Ausoniis veniet provincia virgis : 

adsuescent Latio Partha tropaea Iovi. 
ite agite, expertae bello date lintea prorae 

et solitum armigeri ducite munus equi. 



PKOPERTII III, 4, 9-22 ; 5, 1-18. 67 

omina fausta cano. Crassos clademque piate : 

ite et Eomanae consnlite historiae. 10 

Mars pater et sacrae fatalia lumina Testae, 

ante meos obitus sit, precor, ilia dies, 
qua yidearn spoliis oneratos Caesaris axes, 

ad vulgi plausus saepe resistere equos, 
inque sinu carae nixns spectare puellae 15 

incipiam et titulis oppida capta legam, 
tela fugacis equi et bracati militis arcus 

et subter captos arma sedere duces, 
ipsa tuam serva prolem, Venus : hoc sit in aevum, 

cernis ab Aenea quod superesse caput. 20 

praeda sit haec illis, quorum meruere labores : 

me sat erit Sacra plaudere posse Via. 



V. 



Pacis Amor deus est, pacem veneramur amantes. 

sat milii cum domina proelia dura mea, 
nee tamen inviso pectus milii earpitur auro, 

nee bibit e gemma divite nostra sitis, 
nee mihi mille iugis Campania pinguis aratur, 5 

nee miser aera paro clade, Corintlie, tua. 
prima infelix fingenti terra Prometheo ! 

ille parum cauti pectoris egit opus : 
corpora disponens mentem non vidit in arte. 

recta animi primum debuit esse via. 10 

nunc maris in tantum vento iactamur, et hostem 

quaerimus, at que armis nectimus arma nova, 
hand ullas portabis opes Aclierontis ad undas : 

nudus ad infernas, stulte, vehere rates, 
victor cum victis pariter miscebitur umbris : 15 

consule cum Mario, capte Iugurtha, sedes. 
Lydus Dulichio non distat Croesus ab Iro : 

optima mors, Parcae quae venit acta die. 



68 PKOPEKTII III, 5,19-48. 

me iuyet in prima coluisse Helicona iuventa 

Musarumque choris inplicuisse manus : 20 

me iuyet et multo mentem vincire Lyaeo 

et caput in verna semper habere rosa. 
atque ubi iam Yenerem gravis interceperit aetas, 

sparserit et nigras alba senecta comas, 
turn mihi naturae libeat perdiscere mores, 25 

quis deus hanc mundi temperet arte>domum, 
qua venit exoriens, qua deficit, unde coactis 

cornibus in plenum menstrua luna redit, 
unde salo superant venti, quid flamine captet 

Eurus, et in nubes unde perennis aqua, 30 

sit ventura dies, mundi quae subruat arces, 

purpureus pluvias cur bibit arcus aquas, 
aut cur Perrhaebi tremuere cacnmina Pindi, 

solis et atratis luxerit orbis equis, 
cur serus versare boves et plaustra Bootes, 35 

Pleiadum spisso cur coit igne chorus, 
curve suos fines altum non exeat aequor, 

plenus et in partes quattuor annus eat, 
sub terris sint iura deum et tormenta nocentum, 

Tisiphones atro si f urit angue caput, 40 

aut Alcmaeoniae furiae aut ieiunia Phinei, 

num rota, num scopuli, num sitis inter aquas, 
num tribus infernum custodit faucibus antrum 

Cerberus, et Tityo iugera pauca novem, 
an ficta in miseras descendit fabula gentes, 45 

et timor haud ultra quam rogus esse potest, 
exitus hie vitae superet mihi : vos, quibus arma 

grata magis, Crassi signa referte domum. 



PROPERTII III, 7, 1-34. 69 

VII. 

Ergo sollicitae tu causa, pecunia, vitae ! 

per te inmaturum mortis adimus iter, 
tu vitiis liominum crudelia pabula praebes : 

semina curarum de capite orta tuo. 
tu Paetum ad Pliarios tendentem lintea portus 5 

obruis insano terque quaterque mari. 
nam dum te sequitur, primo miser excidit aevo, 

et nova longinquis piscibus esca natat : 
et mater non iusta piae dare debita terrae 

nee pote cognatos inter humare rogos, 10 

sed tua nunc yolucres adstant super ossa marinae, 

nunc tibi pro tumulo Carpathium omne mare est. 
infelix Aquilo, raptae timor Orithyiae, 

quae spolia ex illo tanta fuere tibi ? 
aut quidnam fracta gaudes, Xeptune, carina ? 15 

portabat sanctos alveus ille viros. 
Paete, quid aetatem numeras ? quid cara natanti 

mater in ore tibi est ? non habet unda deos. 
nam tibi nocturnis ad saxa ligata procellis 

omnia detrito vincula fune cadunt. 20 

sunt Agamemnonias testantia litora curas, 

qua notat Argynni poena minantis aquae, 
hoc iuvene amisso classem non solvit Atrides, 

pro qua mactata est Ipliigenia mora, 
reddite corpus humo posita est in gurgite yita : 25 

Paetum sponte tua, vilis arena, tegas : 
et quotiens Paeti transibit nauta sepulchrum, 

dicat ' et audaci tu timor esse potes/ 
ite, rates curvas et let! texite causas : 

ista per humanas mors venit acta manus. 30 

terra parum f uerat f atis, adiecimus undas : 

Fortunae miseras auximus arte vias. 
ancora te teneat, quern non tenuere Penates ? 

quid meritum dicas, cui sua terra parum est ? 



JO PROPERTII III, 7, 85-70. 

ventorum est, quodcumque paras : haut ulla carina 35 

consenuit, fallit portus et ipse fidem. 
natura insidians pontum substravit avaris : 

ut tibi succedat, vix semel esse potest, 
axa triumphales fregere Capharea puppes, 

naufraga cum vasto Graecia tracta salo est. 40 

paullatim socium iacturam flevit Vlixes, 

in mare cui soli non vainer e doli. 
quod si contentus patrio bove verteret agros, 

verbaque dnxisset pondus habere mea, 
viveret ante snos dulcis conviva Penates, 45 

pauper, at in terra, nil ubi flare potest, 
non tnlit hie Paetus.stridorem anclire procellae 

et dnro teneras laedere fune manns, 
sed thyio thalamo ant Oricia terebintho 

et fultum plnma yersicolore capnt. 50 

huic fluctus viyo radicitns abstnlit ungues, 

et miser inyisam traxit hiatus aquam : 
hunc paryo ferri vidit nox inproba ligno. 

Paetus ut occideret, tot coiere mala, 
flens tamen extremis dedit haec mandata querellis, 55 

cum moribunda niger clauderet or a liquor : 
'di maris Aegaei quos sunt penes aequora, Venti, 

et quaecumque meum degrayat unda caput, 
quo rapitis miseros tenerae lanuginis annos ? 

attulimus longas in freta yestra manus. 60 

ah miser alcyonum scopulis adfigar acutis : 

in me caeruleo fuscina sumpta deo est. 
at saltern Italiae regionibus adyehat aestus ; 

hoc de me sat erit si modo matris erit/ 
subtrahit haec fantem torta yertigine fluctus ; 65 

ultima quae Paeto yoxque diesque fuit. 
o centum aequoreae Nereo genitore puellae, 

et tu materno tacta dolore Theti 
(yos decuit lasso supponere bracchia mento : 

non poterat yestras ille grayare manus), 70 



PROPERTII III, 7, 71-72; 9, 1-30. 71 

at til, saeve Aquilo, numquam mea vela videbis : 
ante fores dominae condar oportet iners. 



IX. 

Maecenas, eques Etrusco de sanguine regum 

intra fortunam qui cupis esse tuam, 
quid me scribendi tarn vastum mittis in aequor ? 

non sunt apta meae grandia vela rati. 
turpe est, quod nequeas, capiti committere pondus 5 

et pressum inflexo mox dare terga genu, 
omnia non pariter rerum sunt omnibus apta, 

Pama nee ex aequo ducitur ulla iugo. 
gloria Lysippo est animosa effingere signa, 

exactis Calamis se milii iactat equis, 10 

in Veneris tabula summam sibi ponit Apelles, 

Parrhasius parva yindicat arte locum, 
argumenta magis sunt Mentoris addita formae, 

at Myos exiguum flectit acanthus iter, 
Phidiacus signo se Iuppiter ornat eburno, 15 

Praxitelen propria yindicat urbe lapis, 
est quibus Eleae concurrunt palma quadrigae, 

est quibus in celeres gloria nata pedes, 
hie satus ad pacem, hie castrensibus ubilis armis. 

naturae sequitur semina quisque suae. 20 

at tua, Maecenas, yitae praecepta recepi, 

cogor et exemplis te superare tuis. 
cum tibi Eomano dominas in honore secures 

et liceat medio ponere iura foro, 
vel tibi Medorum pugnaces ire per hastas 25 

atque onerare tuam fixa per arma domum, 
et tibi ad effectum vires det Caesar et omni 

tempore tarn faciles insinuentur opes, 
parcis et in tenues humilem te colligis umbras : 

velorum plenos subtrahis ipse sinus. 30 



>]2 PKOPERTII III, 9, 31-60 ; io, 1-2. 

crede mihi, magnos aequabunt ista Camillos 

iudicia et venies tu quoque in ora virum, 
Caesaris et famae vestigia iuncta tenebis : 

Maecenatis erunt vera tropaea fides. 
non ego velifera tumidum mare findo carina : 35 

tuta sub exiguo flumine nostra mora est. 
non flebo in cineres arcem sedisse paternos 

Cadmi nee septem proelia clade pari, 
nee referam Scaeas et Pergama Apollinis arces, 

et Danaum decimo vere redisse rates, 40 

moenia cum Graio ISTeptunia pressit aratro 

victor Palladiae ligneus artis equus. 
inter Callimachi sat erit placuisse libellos 

et cecinisse modis, Coe poeta, tuis. 
haec urant pueros, haec urant scripta puellas, 45 

meque deum clament et mihi sacra ferant. 
te duce vel Iovis arma canam caeloque minantem 

Coeum et Phlegraeis Oromedonta iugis, 
celsaque Komanis decerpta Palatia tauris 

ordiar et caeso moenia firma Eemo, 50 

eductosque pares silvestri ex ubere reges, 

crescet et ingenium sub tua iussa meum, 
prosequar et currus utroque ab litore ovantes, 

Parthorum astutae tela remissa fugae, 
castraque Pelusi Eomano subruta ferro, 55 

Antonique graves in sua fata manus. 
mollis tu coeptae fautor cape lora iuventae, 

dexteraque inmissis da mihi signa rotis. 
hoc mihi, Maecenas, laudis concedis, et a te est 

quod ferar in partes ipse fuisse tuas. 60 



X. 



Mirabar, quidnam misissent mane Camenae, 
ante meum stantes sole rubente torum. 



PKOPERTII III, 10, 3-32; n, 1-2. 73 

natalis nostrae signum misere puellae 

et manibus faustos ter crepuere sonos. 
transeat hie sine nube dies, stent aere venti, 5 

ponat et in sicco molliter unda minas. 
adspiciam nullos liodierna luce dolentes, 

et Mobae lacrimas suppriniat ipse lapis, 
Alcyonum positis requiescant ora querellis, 

increpet absumptum nee sua mater Ityn. 10 

tuque, o cara mihi, felicibus edita pennis, 

surge et poscentes iusta precare deos. 
ac primum pura somnum tibi discute lympha 

et nitidas presso pollice finge comas : 
dein, qua primum oculos cepisti yeste Property 15 

indue, nee vacuum flore relinque caput : 
et pete, qua polles, ut sit tibi forma perennis, 

inque meum semper stent tua regna caput, 
inde coronatas ubi ture piayeris aras, 

luxerit et tota flamma secunda domo, 20 

sit mensae ratio, noxque inter pocula currat, 

et crocino naris murreus ungat onyx, 
tibia nocturnis succumbat rauca choreis, 

et sint nequitiae libera yerba tuae, 
dulciaque ingratos adimant conyiyia somnos, 25 

publica yicinae perstrepat aura yiae. 
sit sors et nobis talorum interprete iactu, 

quem grayibus pennis yerberet ille puer. 
cum f uerit multis exacta trientibus liora, 

noctis et instituet sacra ministra Venus, 30 

annua solyamus thalamo sollemnia nostro, 

natalisque tui sic peragamus iter. 



XI. 



Quid mirare, meam si yersat femina yitam 
et trahit addictum sub sua iura yirum, 



74 PRO PERTH III, ii, 3-38. 

criminaque ignavi capitis mihi turpia flngis, 

quod nequeam fracto rumpere vincla iugo ? 
yenturam melius praesagit navita noctem, 5 

vulneribus didicit miles habere metum. 
ista ego praeterita iactavi verba iuventa : 

tu nunc exemplo disce timere meo. 
Colchis flagrantis adamantina sub iuga tauros 

egit et armigera proelia sevit humo, 10 

custodisque feros clausit serpen tis hiatus, 

iret ut Aesonias aurea lana domos. 
ausa ferox ab equo quondam oppugnare sagittis 

Maeotis Danaum Penthesilea rates 3 
aurea cui postquam nudavit cassida frontem, 15 

vicit victorem Candida forma virum. 
Omphale in tantum formae processit honorem, 

Lydia Gygaeo tincta puella lacu, 
lit, qui pac.ato statuisset in orbe columnas, 

tarn dura traheret mollia pensa manu. 20 

Persarum statu it Babylona Semiramis urbem, 

ut solidum cocto tolleret aggere opus, 
et duo in adversum missi per moenia currus 

ne possent tacto stringere ab axe latus, 
duxit et Euphratem medium, qua condidit arces, 25 

iussit et imperio subdere Bactra caput, 
nam quid ego heroas, quid raptem in crimina divos ? 

(Iuppiter infamat seque suamque domum). 
quid, modo quae nostris opprobria vexerit armis 

et famulos inter femina trita suos 30 

coniugis obsceni pretium Eomana poposcit 

moenia et ^ddictos in sua regna patres. 
noxia Alexandria, dolis aptissima tellus, 

et totiens nostro Memphi cruenta malo, 
tres ubi Pompeio detraxit arena triumphos ! 35 

toilet nulla dies hanc tibi, Eoma, notam. 
issent Phlegraeo melius tibi fungra campo, 

vel tua si sogero colla daturus eras. 



PKOPERTII III, ii, 39-72, 75 

scilicet incesti meretrix regina Canopi 

(una Philippeo sanguine adusta nota) 40 

ausa Iovi nostro latrantem opponere Anubim, 

et Tiberim Nili cogere ferre minas, 
Eomanamque tubam crepitanti pellere sistro, 

baridos et contis rostra Liburna sequi, 
foedaque Tarpeio conopia tendere saxo, 45 

iura dare et statuas inter et anna Mari. 
quid nunc Tarqumii fractas iuvat esse secures, 

nomine quern simili vita superba not at, 
si mulier patienda fuit ? cape, Eonia, triumphum, 

et longum Augusto salva precare diem. 50 

fugisti tamen in timidi vaga flumina Xili : 

accepere tuae Romula vincla manus. 
braccliia spectavi sacris admorsa colubris, 

et trahere occultum membra soporis iter, 
'non hoc, Eoma, fui tanto tibi cive verenda' 55 

dixit ' et adsiduo lingua sepulta mero/ 
septem urbs alta iugis, toto quae praesidet orbi, 

femineas timuit territa Marte minas. 
Hannibalis spolia et victi monimenta Syphacis 

et Pyrrlii ad nostros gloria fracta pedes 60 



Curtius expletis statuit monimenta lacunis, 

at Decius misso proelia rupit equo, 
Coclitis abscissos testatur semita pontes, 

est cui cognomen corvus habere dedit. 
haec di condiderant, haec di quoque moenia servant : 65 

vix timeat salvo Caesare Eoma Iovem. 
nunc ubi Scipiadae classes, ubi signa Camilli, 

aut modo Pompeia Bospore capta manu ? 
Leucadius versas acies memorabit Apollo. 

tantum operis belli sustulit una dies. 70 

at tu, sive petes portus seu, navita, linques, 

Caesaris in toto sis memor Ionio. 



76 PROPERTII III, 16, 1-30. 

XVI. 

Nox media, et dominae mihi venit epistula nostrae : 

Tibure me missa iussit adesse mora, 
Candida qua geminas ostendunt culmina turres 

et cadit in patulos lympha Aniena lac us. 
quid faciam ? obductis committam mene tenebris, 5 

ut timeam audaces in mea membra manus ? 
at si distulero haec nostro mandata timore, 

nocturno fletus saevior lioste mihi. 
peccaram semel, et totum sum pulsus in annum 

in me mansuetas non liabefc ilia manus. 10 

nee tamen est quisquam, sacros qui laedat amantes: 

Scironis media sic licet ire via. 
quisquis amator erit, Scythicis licet ambulet oris: 

nemo adeo, ut noceat, barbarus esse volet, 
luna ministrat iter, demonstrant astra salebras, 15 

ipse Amor accensas percutit ante faces, 
saeva canum rabies morsus avertit liiantis; 

huic generi quovis tempore tuta via est. 
sanguine tarn parvo quis enim spargatur amantis 

inprobus ? exclusis fit comes ipsa Venus. 20 

quod si certa meos sequerentur fun era casus, 

talis mors pretio vel sit emend a mihi. 
adferet haec unguenta mihi sertisque sepulchrum 

ornabit custos ad mea busta sedens. 
di faciant, mea ne terra locet ossa frequenti, . 25 

qua facit adsiduo tramite vulgus iter, 
post mortem tumuli sic infamantur amantum. 

me tegat arborea devia terra coma, 
aut humer ignotae cumulis vallatus arenae. 

non iuvat in media nonien habere via. 30 



PEOPERTII III, 18, 1-34. JJ 

xvur. 

Clausus ab umbroso qua ludit pontns Averno^ 

fumida Baiaram stagria fcepentis aquae, 
qua iacet et Troiae tubicen Misenus arena, 

et sonat Herculeo structa labore via, 
hie, ubi, mortalis dexter cum quaereret urbes, 5 

cymbala Thebano concrepuere deo, 
(at nunc invisae magno cum crimine Baiae, 

quis deus in vestra constitit hostis aqua?) 
liic pressus Stygias vultum demisit in undas, 

errat et in vestro spiritus ille lacu. 10 

quid genus aut virtus aut optima profuit illi 

mater, et amplexum Caesaris esse focos, 
aut modo tarn pleuo fluitantia vela tlieatro 

et per maternas omnia gesta manus ? 
occidit, et misero steterat vigesimus annus : 15 

tot bona tarn paryo clausit in orbe dies. 
i nunc, tolle animos et tecum finge triumphos, 

stantiaqae in plausum tota theatra iuvent, 
Attalicas supera vestes, atque omnia magnis 

gemmea sint ludis: ignibus ista dabis. 20 

sed tamen hue omnes, hue primus et ultimus ordo: 

est mala, sed cunctis ista terenda via est. 
exoranda canis tria sunt latrantia colla, 

scandenda est torvi publica cymba senis. 
ille licet ferro cautus se condat et aere: 25 

mors tamen inclusum protrahit inde caput. 
Nirea non facies, non vis exemit Achillem, 

Croesum aut, Pactoli quas parit umor, opes, 
hie olim ignaros luctus populavit Achivos, 

Atridae magno cum stetit alter amor. 30 

at tibi, nauta, pias hominum qui traicis umbras, 

hue animae portent corpus inane suae: 
qua Siculae victor telluris Claudius et qua 

Caesar, ab humana cessit in astra via. 



78 PROPERTII III, 21, 1-34. 

XXI. 

Magnum iter ad doctas proficisci cogor Athenas, 

ut me longa gravi sol vat am ore via, 
crescit enim adsidue spectanti cura puellae: 

ipse alimenta sibi maxima praebet amor, 
omnia sunt temptata inihi, quacumqne fugari 5 

possifc: at ex omni me premit iste deus. 
vix tamen aut semel admittit, cum saepe negavit: 

seu venit, extremo dormit amicta toro. 
unum erit auxilium: mutatis Cynthia terris 

quantum oculis, animo tarn procul ibit amor. 10 

nunc agite, o socii, propellite in aequora navim, 

remorumque pares ducite sorte vices, 
iungiteque extremo felicia lintea malo: 

iam liquidum nautis aura secundat iter. 
Romanae turres et vos valeatis amici, 15 

qualiscumque mihi tuque puella vale, 
ergo ego nunc rudis Adriaci vehar aequoris hospes, 

cogar et undisonos nunc prece adire decs. 
deinde per Ionium vectus cum fessa Lecbaeo 

sedarit placida vela pliaselus aqua, 20 

quod superest, sufferte pedes, properate laborem, 

Isthmos qua terris arcet utrumque mare, 
inde ubi Piraei capient me litora portus, 

scandam ego Theseae bracchia longa viae, 
illic vel studiis animum emendare Platonis 25 

incipiam aut liortis, docte Epicure, tuis. 
persequar aut studium linguae, Demosthenis arma, 

libaboque tuos, docte Menandre, sales, 
aut certe tabulae capient mea lumina pictae 

sive ebore exactae seu magis aere manus. 30 

aut spatia annorum aut longa intervalla profundi 

lenibunt tacito vulnera nostra sinu: 
seu moriar, fato, non turpi fractus amore; 

atque erit ilia mihi mortis honesta dies. 



PROPEKTII III, 22, 1-34 79 

XXII. 

Frigida tarn multos placuit tibi Cyzicus annos, 

Tulle, Propontiaca qua flu it Isthmos aqua; 
Dindymus et sacra fabricata e vite Cybebe, 

raptorisque tulit qua via Ditis equos, 
si te forte iuvant Helles Athamantidos urbes, 5 

nee desiderio, Tulle, movere meo, 
tu licet adspicias caelum ornne Atlanta gerentem, 

sectaque Persea Phorcidos ora manu, 
Geryonis stabula et luctantum in pulvere signa 

Herculis Antaeique Hesperidumque choros, 10 

tuque tuo Colcbum pro]3ellas remige Phasin, 

Peliacaeque trabis totum iter ipse legas, 
Qua rudis Argoa natat inter saxa columba 

in faciem prorae pinus adacta novae, 
et sis, qua Ortygia et visenda est ora Caystri, 15 

et qua septenas temperat unda vias, 
omnia Eomanae cedent miracula terrae: 

natura hie ppsuit, quidquid ubique fuifc. 
armis apta magis tellus, quam commoda noxae: 

famam, Eoma, tuae non pudet historiae. 20 

nam quantum ferro, tantum pietate potentes 

stamus, victrices temperat ira manus. 
hie Anio Tiburne fluis, Clitumnus ab Vmbro 

tramite, et aeternum Marcius umor opus, 
Albanus lacus et socia Isemorensis ab unda, 25 

potaque Pollucis lymph a salubris equo. 
at non squamoso labuntur ventre cerastae, 

Itala portentis nee fluit unda novis, 
non hie Andromedae resonant pro matre catenae, 

nee tremis Ausonias, Phoebe f ugate, dapes, 30 

nee cuiquam absentes arserunt in caput ignes 

exitium nato matre movente suo, 
Penthea non saevae venantur in arbore Bacchae, 

nee solvit Danaas subdita cerva rates, 



80 PROPERTII III, 22, 35-42 ; 23, 1-24. 

cormia nee valuit curvare in pelice Iurio 35 

aut faciem turpi dedecorare bove, 
arboreasque cruces Sinis, et non hospita Grais 

saxa et curvatas in sua fata trabes. 
liaec tibij, Tulle, parens, haec est pulcherrima sedes, 

hie tibi pro digna gente petendus honos, 40 

hie tibi ad eloquium cives, hie ampla nepotum 

spes et venturae coniugis aptus amor. 



XXIII. 

Ergo tarn doctae nobis periere tabellae, 

scripta qui bus pariter tot periere bona, 
has quondam nostris manibus detriverat usus, 

qui non signatas iussit habere fidem. 
illae iam sine me norant placare puellas 5 

et quaedam sine me verba diserta loqui. 
non illas flxum caras effecerat aurum : 

vulgari buxo sordida cera f uit. 
qualescumque mihi semper mansere fideles, 

semper et effectus promeruere bonos. 10 

forsitan haec illis fuerant mandata tabellis: 

' irascor, quoniam es lente, mo rat us heri. 
an tibi nescio quae visa est formosior? an tu 

non bene de nobis crimina ficta iacis ? ' 
aut dixit: c venies liodie, cessabimus una: 15 

hospitium tota nocte parabit Amor,' 
et quaecumque volens reperit non stulta puella, 

garrula cum blandis ducitur hora dolis. 
me miserum, his aliquis rationem scribit avarus 

et ponit duras inter ephemeridas. 20 

quas siquis mihi rettulerit, donabitur auro. 

quis pro divitiis ligna retenta velit? 
i puer, et citus haec aiiqua propone columna, 

et dominum Esquiliis scribe habitare tuum. 



SEX. PROPERTII 

LIBER QVARTVS. 

II. 

Quid mirare meas tot in uno corpore f ormas ? 

accipe Vertumni signa paterna dei. 
Tuscus ego et Tuscis orior, nee paenitet inter 

proelia Volsinios deseruisse focos. 
haec me turba iuvat, nee templo laetor eburno: 5 

Romanum satis est posse videre forum, 
hac quondam Tiberinus iter faciebat, et aiunt 

remorum auditos per vada pulsa sonos: 
at postquam ille suis tantum concessit alumnis, 

Vertumnus verso dicor ab amne deus. 10 

seu, quia vertentis fructum praecepimus anni, 

Vertumni vulgus credidit esse sacrum, 
prima mihi variat liventibus uva racemis 

et coma lactenti spicea fruge tumet. 
hie dulces cerasos, hie autumnalia prima 15 

cernis et aestivo mora rubere die. 
insitor hie solvit pomosa vota corona, 

cum pirus invito stipite mala tulit. 
mendax fama noces: alius mihi nominis index: 

de se narranti tu modo crede deo. 20 

opportuna mea est cunctis natura figuris: 

in quamcumque voles verte, decorus ero. 
indue me Cois, fiam non dura puella: 

meque virum sumpta quis neget esse toga ? 
6 



82 PROPERTII IV, 2, 25-60. 

da falcem et torto frontem mihi conprime faeno: 25 

iurabis nostra gramina secta manu. 
arma tuli quondam et, memini, laudabar in illis: 

corbis in inposito pondere messor eram. 
sobrius ad lites: at cum est inposta corona, 

clamabis capiti vina subisse meo. 30 

cinge caput mitra, speciem f urabor Iacehi : 

furabor Phoebi, si modo plectra dabis. 
cassibus inpositis venor: sed arundine sumpta 

Faunus plumoso sum deus aucupio. 
est etiam aurigae species Vertumnus et eius, 35 

traicit alterno qui leve pondus equo. 
suppetat hie, pisces calamo praedabor, et ibo 

muudus demissis institor in tunicis. 
pastorem ad baculum possum curare vel idem 

sirpiculis medio pulvere ferre rosam. 40 

nam quid ego adiciam, de quo mihi maxima fama est, 
' hortorum in manibus dona probata meis ? 
caeruleus cucumis tumidoque cucurbita ventre 

me notat et iunco brassica vincta levi, 
nee flos ullus hiat pratis, quin ille decenter 45 

inpositus fronti langueat ante meae. 
at mihi, quod formas unus yertebar in omnes, 

nomen ab eventu patria lingua dedit. 
et tu, Roma, meis tribuisti praemia Tuscis, 

unde hodie vicus nomina Tuscus habet, 50 

tempore quo sociis venit Lycomedius armis 

atque Sabina feri contudit arma Tati. 
vidi ego labentes acies et tela caduca, 

atque hostes turpi terga declisse fugae. 
sed facias, divum sator, ut Romana per aevum 55 

transeat ante meos turba togata pedes, 
sex superant versus (te, qui ad vadimonia curris, 

non moror) : haec spatiis ultima creta meis. 
stipes acernus eram, properanti falce dolatus, 

ante Numam grata pauper in urbe deus. 60 



PROPERTII IV, 2, 61-64 ; 3, 1-28. 83 

at tibi, Mamuri, formae caelator ahenae, 

tellus artifices ne terat Osca manus, 
qui me tarn dociles potuisti fundere in usus. 

unum opus est, operi 11011 datur unus lionos. 



III. 



Haec Aretliusa suo mittit mandata Lycotae, 

cum totiens absis, si potes esse meus. 
siqua tamen tibi lecturo pars oblita derit, 

haec erit e lacrimis facta litura meis: 
aut siqua incerto fallet te littera tractu, 5 

signa meae dextrae iam morientis erunt. 
te modo viderunt iteratos Bactra per ortus, 

te modo muni to Xeuricus hostis equo, 
hibernique Getae, pictoque Britannia curru, 

ustus et Eoa discolor Indus aqua. 10 

haecne marita fides et pactae in gaudia noctes, 

cum rudis urgenti bracchia victa dedi ? 
quae mihi deductae fax omen praetulit, ilia 

traxit ab e verso lumina nigra rogo, 
et Stygio sum sparsa lacu, nee recta capillis 15 

vitta data est: nupsi non comitante deo. 
omnibus heu portis pendent mea noxia vota: 

texitur haec castris quarta lacerna tuis. 
occidat, inmerita qui carpsit ab arbore vallum 

et struxit querulas rauca per ossa tubas, 20 

dignior obliquo f unem qui torqueat Ocno 

aeternusque tuam pascat, aselle, famem. 
die mihi, num teneros urit lorica lacertos ? 

num gravis inbelles atterit hasta manus ? 
haec noceant potius, quam dentibus ulla puella 25 

det mihi plorandas per tua colla notas. 
diceris et macie vultum tenuasse: sed opto, 

e desiderio sit color iste meo. 



84 PROPEETII IV, 3, 29-64. 

at mihi cum noctes induxit vesper amaras. 

siqua relicta iacent, osculor arma tua. 30 

turn queror in toto -non sidere pallia lecfco, 

lucis et auctores non dare carmen aves. 
noctibus hibernis castrensia pensa laboro 

et Tyria in radios vellera secta suos. 
et disco, qua parte fluat vincendus Araxes, 35 

quot sine aqua Parthus milia currat equus. 
cogor et e tabula pictos ediscere mundos, 

qualis et haec docti sit positura dei, 
quae tellus sit lenta gelu, quae putris ab aestu, 

ventus in Italiam qui bene vela ferat. 40 

adsidet una soror, curis et pallida nutrix 

peierat hiberni temporis esse moras, 
felix Hippolyte! nuda tulifc arma papilla 

et texit galea barbara molle caput. 
Komanis utinam patuissent castra puellis! 45 

essem militiae sarcina fida tuae, 
nee me tardarent Scythiae iuga, cum pater altas 

adstricto in glaciem frigore nectit aquas, 
omnis amor magnus, sed aperto in coniuge maior: 

hanc Venus, ut vivat, veutilat ipsa facem. 50 

nam mihi quo ? Poenis tibi purpura f ugeat ostris 

crystallusque meas ornet aquosa manus: 
omnia surda tacent, rarisque adsueta kalendis 

vix aperifc clausos una puella Lares, 
Grlaucidos et catulae vox est mihi grata querentis : 55 

ilia tui partem vindicat una toro. 
flore sacella tego, yerbenis compita velo, 

et crepat ad veteres herba Sabina focos. 
sive in fiuitimo gemuit stans nocbua tigno, 

seu vol u it tangi parca lucerDa mero, 60 

ilia dies liornis caedem denuntiat agnis, 

succincti que calent ad nova lucra popae. 
ne, precor, adscensis tanti sit gloria Bactris, 

raptave odorato carbasa lina duci, 



PROPERTII IT, 3, 65-72 ; 4, 1-24. 85 

plumbea cum tortae sparguntur pondera fundae, 65 

subdolus et versis increpat arcus equis. 
sed (tua sic domitis Parthae telluris alumnis 

pura triumphantes hasta sequatur equos) 
incorrupta mei conserva foedera lecti. 

Iiac ego te sola lege redisse velim, 70 

armaque cum tulero portae votiva Capenae, 

subscribam 'salvo grata puella viro.' 



IV. 

Tarpeium nemus et Tarpeiae turpe sepulclirum 

fabor et antiqui limiua capta Iovis. 
Incus erat felix hederoso conditus antro, 

multaque nativis obstrepit arbor aquis, 
Silvani ramosa donms, quo dulcis ab aestu 5 

fistula poturas ire iubebat oves. 
liunc Tatius fontem yallo praecingit acerno, 

fidaque suggesta castra coronat humo. 
quid turn Eoma fait, tubicen vicina Curetis 

cum quateret lento murmure saxa Iovis, 10 

atque ubi nunc terris dicuntur iura subactis, 

stabant Eomano pila Sabina f oro ? 
munis erant montes: ubi nunc est curia saepta, 

bellicus ex illo fonte bibebat equus. 
hinc Tarpeia deae fontem libavit: at illi 15 

urgebat medium fictilis urna caput. 
et satis una malae potuit mors esse puellae, 

quae voluit flammas fallere, Vesta, tuas ? 
vidit arenosis Tatiurn proludere campis 

pictaque per flavas arma levare iubas. 20 

obstupuit regis facie et regalibus armis, 

interque oblitas excidit urna manus. 
saepe ilia inmeritae causata est omina lunae 

et sibi tinguendas dixit in amne comas: 



86 PROPERTII IT, 4, 25-58. 

saepe tulit blandis argentea lilia Nymphis, 25 

Eomula ne faciem laederet hasta Tati. 
dumque subit priino Capitolia nubila fumo, 

rettulit hirsutis bracchia secta rubis, 
et sua Tarpeia residens ita flevit ab arce 

vulnera, vicino non patienda Iovi : 30 

' ignes castrorum et Tatiae praetoria turmae 

et formosa oculis arma Sabina meis, 
q utinam ad vestros sedeam captiva Penates, 

dum captiva mei conspicer ora Tati. 
Eomani montes et montibus addita Roma 35 

et valeat probro Vesta pudenda meo. 
ille equus, ille meos in castra reportet amores, 

eui Tatius dextras collocat ipse iubas. 
quid mirum in patrios Scyllam saevisse eapillos, 

candid aque in saevos inguina versa canes ? 40 

prodita quid mirum fraterni cornua monstri, 

cum patuit lecto stamine tor ta via? 
quantum ego sum Ausoniis crimen factura puellis, 

inproba virgineo lecta ministra foco! 
Pallados extinctos siquis mirabitur ignes, 45 

ignoscat: lacrimis spargitur ara meis. 
eras, ut rumor ait, tota cessabitur urbe: 

tu cave spinosi rorida terga iugi. 
lubrica tota via est et perfida: quippe tacentes 

fallaci celat limite semper aquas. 50 

o utinam magicae nossem cantamina Musae! 

haec quoque formoso lingua tulisset opem. 
te toga picta decet, non quern sine matris honore 

nutrit inhumanae dura papilla lupae. 



sic hospes, pariamne tua regina sub aula ? 55 

dos tibi non humilis prodita Roma venit. 
si minus, at raptae ue sint inpune Sabinae: 

me rape et alterna lege repende vices. 



PROPERTII IV, 4, 59-94. 8/ 

conmissas acies ego possum solvere : nuptae, 

vos medium palla foedus inite mea. 60 

adde, Hymeaaee, moclos : tubicen, fera murmura conde: 

credite, vestra meus molliet arma torus, 
et iam quarta canit venturam bucina lucem, 

ipsaque in Oceanum sidera lapsa cadunt. 
experiar somnum, de te mihi somnia quaeram: 65 

fac veiiias oculis umbra benigna meis/ 
dixit, et iucerto permisit braccliia soinno, 

nescia vae furiis accubuisse novis. 
nam Vesta, Iliacae felix tutela favillae, 

culpam alit et plures condit in ossa faces. 70 

ilia ruit, qualis celerem prope Thermodonta 

Strymonis abscisso fertur aperta sinu. 
urbi festus erat (dixere Parilia patres, 

hie primus coepit moenibus esse dies), 
annua pastorum con vi via, lusus in urbe, 75 

cum pagana madent fercula deliciis, 
cumque super raros faeni flammantis acervos 

traicit inmundos ebria turba pedes. 
Romulus excubias decrevit in otia solvi 

atque intermissa castra silere tuba. 80 

hoc Tarpeia suum tempus rata convenit hostem: 

pacta ligat, pactis ipsa futura comes, 
mons erat adscensu dubius festoque remissus: 

nee mora, vocales occupat ense canes, 
omnia praebebant somnos: sed Iuppiter unus 85 

decrevit poenis invigilare tais. 
prodiderat portaeque fidem patriamque iacentem, 

nubendique petit, quern velit ipse, diem, 
at Tatius (neque enim sceleri dedit hostis honorem) 

6 nube ' ait 6 et regni scande cubile mei/ 90 

dixit, et ingestis comitum super obruit armis. 

haec, virgo, officiis dos erat apta tuis. 
a duce Tarpeia mons est cognomen adeptus; 

o vigil, iniuste praemia sortis habes. 



88 PEOPERTII IV, 6, 1-34. 



VI. 



Sacra f acit vates : sint ora f aventia sacris 

et cadat ante meos icta iuvenca focos. 
serta Philetaeis certet Komana corymbis 

et Cyrenaeas urna ministret aquas, 
costum molle date et blandi mihi turis honores, 5 

terque focum circa laneus orbis eat. 
spargite me lymph is, carmenque recentibus aris 

tibia Mygdoniis libet eburna cadis, 
ite procul, fraudes, alio sint aere noxae: 

pura novum vati laurea mollit iter. 10 

Musa, Palatini referemus Apollinis aedem: 

res est, Calliope, digna favore tuo. 
Caesaris in nomen ducuntur carmina: Caesar 

dum canitur, quaeso, Iuppiter ipse yaces. 
est Phoebi f ugiens Athamana ad litora portus, 15 

qua sinus Ioniae murmura condit aquae, 
Actia Iuleae, pelagus, monumenta carinae, 

nautarum yotis non operosa via. 
hue mundi coiere manus: stetit aequore moles 

pinea, nee remis aequa favebat avis. 20 

altera classis erat Teucro damnata Quirino, 

pilaque feminae turpiter apta manu : 
liinc Augusta ratis plenis Iovis omine velis 

signaque iam patriae vincere docta suae, 
tandem acies geminos Nereus lunarat in areus, 25 

armorum et radiis piefca tremebat aqua, 
cum Phoebus linquens stantem se vindice Delon 

(nam tulit iratos mobilis una Notos) 
adstitit Augusti puppim super, et nova flamma 

luxit in obliquam ter sinuata facem. 30 

non ille attulerat crines in colla solutos 

ad testudineae carmen inerme lyrae, 
sed quali adspexit Pelopeum Agamemnona vultu, 

egessitque avidis Dorica castra rogis, 



PROPERTII IV, 6, 35-70. 89 

aut qualis fiexos solvit Pythona per orbes 35 

serpentem, inbelles quern tacuere lyrae. 
mox ait ' o longa mundi servator ab Alba, 

Auguste, Hectoreis cognite maior avis, 
vince mari : iam terra tua est : tibi militat arcus 

et favet ex umeris hoc onus omne meis. 40 

solve metu patriani, quae nunc te vindice freta 

inposuit prorae publica vota tuae. 
quam nisi defendes, murorum Romulus augur 

ire Palatinas non bene vidit aves. 
et nimium remis audent prope: turpe Latinis 45 

principe te fluctus regia vela pati. 
nee te, quod classis centenis remiget alis, 

terreat: invito labitur ilia mari. 
quodque vehunt prorae Centaurica saxa minantes, 

tigna cava et pictos experiere metus. 50 

frangit et attollit vires in milite causa; 

quae nisi iusta subest, excutit arma pudor. 
tempus adest, conmitte rates : ego temporis auctor 

ducam laurigera Iulia rostra manu.' 
dixerat, et pharetrae pondus consumit in arcus: 55 

proxima post arcus Caesaris liasta fuit. 
vincit Eoma fide Phoebi: dat femina poenas: 

sceptra per Ionias fracta vehuntur aquas, 
at pater Idalio miratur Caesar ab astro : 

' sum deus; est nostri sanguinis ista fides.' 60 

prosequitur cantu Triton, omnesque marinae 

plauserunt circa libera signa deae. 
ilia petit Nilum cymba male nixa fugaci, 

hoc unum, iusso non moritura die. 
di melius! quantus mulier foret una triumphus, 65 

ductus erat per quas ante Iugurtha vias! 
Actius hinc traxit Phoebus monumenta, quod eius 

una decern vicit missa sagitta rates. 
bella satis cecini : citharam iam poscit Apollo 

victor et ad placidos exuit arma choros. 70 



go PROPERTII IV, 6, 71-86 ; 7, 1-16. 

Candida nunc molli subeant convivia luco, 

blanditiaeque fluant per mea colla rosae, 
vinaque fundantur praelis elisa Falernis, 

terque lavet nostras spica Cilissa comas, 
ingenium potis inritet Musa poetis: 75 

Baeche, soles Phoebo fertilis esse tuo. 
ille paludosos memoret servire Sycambros, 

Ceplieam liic Meroen fuscaque regna canat, 
hie referat sero confessum foedere Parthum, 

' reddat signa Eemi, mox dabit ipse sua. 80 

sive aliquid pliaretris Augustus parcet Eois, 

differat in pueros ista tropaea suos. 
gaude, Crasse, nigras siquid sapis inter arenas: 

ire per Euphraten ad tua busta licet/ 
sic noctem patera, sic ducam carmine, donee 85 

iniciat radios in mea vina dies. 



VII. 



Sunt aliquid Manes: letum non omnia finit, 

luridaque evictos effugit umbra rogos. 
Cynthia namque meo visa est incumbere fulcro, 

murmur ad extremae nuper humata viae, 
cum mihi somnus ab exequiis penderet amoris, 5 

et quererer lecti frigida regna mei. 
eosdem habuit secum, quibus est elata, capillos, 

eosdem oculos: lateri vestis adusta fuit, 
et soli turn digito beryllon adeclerat ignis, 

summaque Lethaeus triverat ora liquor. 10 

spirantisque animos et vocem misit: at illi 

pollicibus fragiles increpuere manus. 
' perflde nee cuiquam melior sperande puellae, 

in te iam vires somnus habere potest ? 
iamne tibi exciderunt vigilacis furta Suburae 15 

et mea nocturnis trita fenestra dolis ? 



PRO PERTH IV, 7, 17-52. 9 1 

per quam demisso quotiens tibi f une pependi, 

alterna veniens in tua colla manu ! 
saepe Yenus trivio -conmissa est, pectore mixto 

fecerunt tepidas pallia nostra vias. 20 

foederis lieu taciti, cuius fallacia verba 

non audituri diripuere jSToti. 
at mihi non oculos quisquam inclamavit euntis: 

unum inpetrassem te revocante diem, 
nee crepuit fissa me propter arundine custos, 25 

Jaesit et obiectum tegula curta caput, 
denique quis nostro curvum te funere vidit, 

atram quis lacrimis incaluisse togam ? * 

si piguit portas ultra procedere, at illuc 

iussisses, lectum lentius ire meum. 30 

cur ventos non ipse rogis, ingrate, petisti? 

cur nardo flammae non oluere meae ? 
hoc etiam grave erat, nulla mercede hyacinthos 

inicere et fracto busta piare cado ? 
Lygdamus uratur, candescat lammina vernae: 35 

sen si ego, cum insidiis pallida vina bibi. 
aut Nomas arcanas toilat versuta salivas : 

dicet damnatas ignea testa manus. 
quae modo per viles inspecta est publica noctes, 

haec nunc aurata cyclade signat humum 40 

et graviora rependit iniquis pensa quasillis, 

garrula de facie siqua locuta mea est: 
nostraque quod Petale tulit ad monumenta coronas, 

codicis inmuudi vincula sentit anus: 
caeditur et Lalage tortis suspensa capillis, 45 

per nomen quoniam est ansa rogare meum. 
te patiente nieae conflavit imaginis aurum, 

ardente e nostro dotem habitura rogo. 
non tamen insector, quam vis mereare, Properti : 

longa mea in libris regna fuere tuis. 50 

iuro ego Fatorum nulli revolubile carmen, 

tergeminusque canis sic mihi molle sonet, 



92 PROPERTII IT, 7, 53-88. 

me servasse fidem. si fallo, vipera nostris 

sibilet in tumulis et super ossa cubet. 
nam gemina est sedes turpeni sortita per amnem, 55 

turbaque diversa remigat omnis aqua, 
una Clytaemestrae stuprum vehit, altera Cressae 

portat mentitae lignea monstra bovis. 
ecce coronato pars altera vecta phaselo, 

mulcet ubi Elysias aura beata rosas, CO 

qua numerosa fides, quaque aera rotunda Cybebes 

mitratisque sonant Lydia plectra choris. 
Andromedeque et Hypermestre sine fraude maritae 

narrant liistoriae f oedera nota suae : 
liaec sua maternis queritur livere catenis 65 

bracchia nee meritas frigida saxa manus: 
narrat Hypermestre magnum ausas esse sorores, 

in scelus hoc animum non valuisse suum. 
sic mortis lacrimis vitae sanamus amores: 

celo ego perfidiae crimina multa tuae. 70 

sed tibi nunc mandata danius, si forte moveris, 

si te non totum Chloridos herba tenet: 
nutrix in tremulis nequid desideret annis 

Parthenie: potuit, nee tibi a vara fait, 
deliciaeque meae Latris, cui nomen ab usu est, 75 

ne speculum dominae porrigat ilia novae, 
et quoscumque meo fecisti nomine versus, 

ure mihi: laudes desine habere meas. 
pelle hederam tumulo, mihi quae pugnante corymbo 

mollia contortis adligat ossa comis. 80 

pomosis Anio qua spumifer incubat arvis 

et numquam Hercnleo numine pallet ebur, 
hie carmen media dignum me scribe columna, 

sed breve, quod currens vector ab urbe legat: 
' hie Tiburtina iacet aurea Cynthia terra. 85 

accessit ripae laus, Aniene, tuae/ 
nee tu sperne piis venientia somnia portis: 

cum pia venerunt somnia, pondus habent. 



PROPERTII IV, 7, 89-96 ; n, 1-24. 93 

nocte vagae ferimur (nox clausas liberat umbras), 

errat et abiecta Cerberus ipse sera. 90 

luce iubent leges Lethaea ad stagna reverti. 

110s vehimur, vectum nauta recenset onus, 
nunc te possideant aliae : mox sola tenebo : 

mecum ens, et mixtis ossibus ossa terani.' 
liaec postquam querula mecum sub lite peregit, 95 

inter conplexus excidit umbra meos. 



XI. 



Desine, Pauile, meum lacrimis urgere sepulchrum: 

panditur ad nullas ianua nigra preces. 
cum semel infernas intrarunt funera leges, 

non exorato stant adamante viae, 
te licet orantem fuscae deus audiat aulae: 5 

nernpe tuas lacrimas litora surcla bibent. 
vota movent superos: ubi portitor aera recepit, 

obserat umbrosos lurid a porta rogos. 
sic maestae cecinere tubae, cum subdita nostrum 

detralieret lecto fax inimica caput. 10 ' 

quid mi hi coniugium Paulli, quid currus avorum 

profuit aut famae pignora tanta meae ? 
num minus inmifces habuit Cornelia Parcas ? ' 

en sum quod digitis quinque levatur onus, 
damnatae noctes et vos vada lenta paludes, 15 

et quaecumque meos inplicat unda pedes, 
inmatura licet, tamen hue hon noxia veni: 

det pater hie umbrae mollia iura meae. 
aut siquis posita iudex sedet Aeacus urna, 

is mea sortita vindicet ossa pila: 20 

adsideant fratres iuxta et Minoida sellam 

Eumenidum intento turba severa foro, 
Sisyphe, mole vaces^ taceant Ixionis orbes, 

fallax Tantaleo corripere ore liquor, 



94 PROPEKTII IV, II, 25-60. 

Cerberus et nullas hodie petat inprobus umbras 25 

et iaceat tacita lapsa catena sera, 
ipsa loquar pro me : si f alio, poena sororum 

infelix umeros urgeat urna meos. 
sicui fama fuit per avita tropaea decori, 

Afra Numantinos regna loquuntur avos, 30 

altera maternos exaequat turba Libones, 

et domus est titulis utraque fulta suis. 
mox, ubi iam facibus cessit praetexta maritis, 

vinxit et acceptas altera vitta comas, 
iungor, Paulle, t no sic discessnra cnbili: 35 

in lapide liuic uni nupta f uisse legar. 
testor maiorum cineres tibi, Roma, verendos, 

sub quorum titulis, Africa, tonsa iaces, 
te, Perseu, proavi simulantem pectus Achillis 

quique tuas proavo fregit Achille domos, 40 

me neque censurae legem mollisse nee ulla 

labe mea nostros erubuisse focos. 
non fait exuviis tantis Cornelia damnum, 

quin erat et magnae pars imitanda domus. 
nee mea mutata est aetas, sine crimine tota est: 45 

viximus insignes inter utramque facem. 
mi natura dedit leges a sanguine ductas, 

ne possem melior iudicis esse metu. 
quaelibet austeras de me ferat urna tabellas: 

turpior adsessu non erit ulla meo, 50 

vel tu, quae tardam movisti f line Cybeben, 

Claudia, tnrritae rara ministra deae, 
vel cui, commissos cum Vesta reposceret ignes, 

exliibuit vivos carbasus alba focos. 
nee te, dulce caput, mater Scribonia, laesi: 55 

in me mutatum quid nisi fata velis? 
maternis laudor lacrimis urbisque querellis, 

defensa et gemitu Caesaris ossa mea. 
ille sua nata dignam vixisse sororem 

increpat, et lacrimas vidimus ire deo. ........ 60 



FEOPERTII IV, ii, 61-96. 95 

et tamen emerui generosos vestis honores, 

nee mea de sterili facta rapina domo. 
tu, Lepide, et tu, Paulle, meum post fata levamen: 

condita sunt vestro lumina nostra sinu. 
vidimus et fratrem sellam genii uasse curulem; 65 

consul quo f actus tempore, rapta soror. 
filia, tu specimen eensurae nata paternae, 

fac teneas unum nos imitata virum. 
et serie fulcite genus: mihi cymba volenti 

solvitur aucturis tot mea fata meis. 70 

haec est feminei merces extrema triumphi, 

laudat ubi emeritum libera fama rogum. 
nunc tibi commendo communia pignora natos: 

haec cura et cineri spirat inusta meo. 
fungere maternis vicibus, pater: ilia meorum 75 

omnis erit collo turba ferenda tuo. 
oscula cum dederis tua flentibus, adice matris: 

tota domus coepit nunc onus esse tuum. 
et siquid doliturus eris, siue testibus illis: 

cum venient, siccis oscula falle genis! 80 

sat tibi sint noctes, quas de me, Paulle, fatiges, 

somniaque in faciem reddita saepe meam: 
atque ubi secreto nostra ad simulacra loqueris, 

ut responsurae singula verba iace. 
seu tamen adversum mutarit ianua lectum, 85 

sederit et nostro cauta noverca toro, 
coniugium, pueri, laudate et ferte paternum : 

capta dabit vestris moribus ilia maims, 
nee mat rem laudate nimis: collata priori 

vertet inoffensas libera verba suas. 90 

seu memor ille mea contentus manserit umbra 

et tanti cineres duxerit esse meos, 
discite veiituram iam nunc lenire senectam, 

caelibis ad curas nee vacet ulla via. 
quod mihi detractum est, vestros accedat ad annos: 95 

prole mea Paullum sic in vet esse senem. 



96 PROPERTII IV, II, 97-102. 

et bene habet: numquam mater lugubria sumpsi: 

venit in exequias tota caterva meas. 
causa perorata est ; nentes me surgite, testes, 

dum pretium vitae grata rependit humus. 100 

moribus et caelum patuit: sim digna merendo, 

cuius honoratis ossa vehantur avis. 



P. O V I D 1 1 NASONIS 

AMOKVM 

LIBER PEIMVS. 

Qui modo Nasonis fueramus quinque libelli, 
tres sumus: hoc illi praetulit auctor opus; 

ut iam nulla tibi nos sit legisse voluptas, 
at levior demptis poena duobus erit. 



Arma gravi numero violentaque bella parabam 

edere, materia conveniente modis; 
par erat inferior versus : risisse Cupido 

dicitur atque unum surripuisse pedem. 
' quis tibi, saeve puer, dedit hoc in carmina iuris? 5 

Pieridum vates, non tua turba sumus. 
quid, si praeripiat flavae Venus arma Minervae, 

ventilet accensas flava Minerva faces ? 
quis probet in silvis Oererem regnare iugosis, 

lege pharetratae virgin] s arva coli ? 10 

crinibus insignem quis acuta cuspide Phoebum 

instruat, Aoniam Marte movente lyram ? 
sunt tibi magna, puer, nimiumque potentia regna: 

cur opus adfectas, ambitiose, novum ? 
7 



98 OVIDII AMORVM I, I, 15-30; 2, 1-16. 

an, quod ubique, tuum est ? tua sunt Heliconia Tempe ? 15 

vix etiam Phoebo iam lyra tuta sua est ? 
cum bene surrexit versa nova pagina primo, 

attenuat nervos proximus ille meos; 
nee mihi materia est numeris levioribus apta, 

aut puer aut longas compta puella comas.' 20 

questus eram ; pharetra cum protinus ille soluta 

legit in exitium spicula facta meum 
lunavitque genu sinuosum fortiter arcum 

6 quod ' que ' canas, vates, accipe ? dixit ' opus! ' 
me miserum! certas habuit puer ille sagittas: 25 

uror, et in vacuo pectore regnat Amor, 
sex mihi surgat opus numeris, in qninque residat: 

ferrea cum vestris bella valebe modis! 
cingere litorea flaventia tempora myrto, 

Musa, per uodenos emodulanda pedes! 30 



II. 

Esse quid hoc dicam, quod tarn mihi dura videntur 

strata, neque in lecto pallia nostra sedent, 
et vacuus somno noctem, quam longa, peregi, 

lassaque versati corporis ossa dolent? 
nam, puto, sentirem, siquo temptarer amore. 5 

an subit et tecta callidus arte nocet ? 
sic erit: haeserunt tenues in corde sagittae, 

et possessa ferus pectora versat Amor, 
cedimus au subitum luctando accendimus ignem? 

cedamus! leve fit, quod bene fertar, onus: 10 

vidi ego iactatas mota face crescere flammas 

et vidi nullo concutiente mori; 
verbera plnra ferunt, quam quos iuvat usus aratri, 

detractant prensi dum iuga prima boves; 
asper equus duris contunditur ora lupatis : 15 

frena minus sentit, quisquis ad arma facit. 



OVIDII AMORVM I, 2, 17-52. 99 

acrius invitos multoque ferocius urget, 

quani qui servitium ferre fatentur, Amor, 
en ego confiteor: tna sum nova praeda, Cupido; 

porrigimus victas ad tua iura maims. 20 

nil opus est bello: veniam pacemque rogamus, 

nee tibi laus armis victus inermis ero. 
necte coniam myrto, maternas iunge columbas! 

qui deceat, currum vitricus ipse dabit, 
inque dato curru, populo elamaute triumphum, 25 

stabis et adiunctas arte movebis aves. 
ducentur capti iuvenes captaeque puellae: 

haec tibi magnificus pompa triumpbus erit. 
ipse ego, praeda recens, factum modo vulnus babebo 

et nova capti va vincula mente feram. 30 

Mens Bona dueetur manibus post terga retortis 

et Pudor et castris quidquid Amoris obest. 
omnia te metuent, ad te sua braccbia tendens 

vulgus ' io ' magna voce ' triumpbe ' canet. 
Blanditiae comites tibi erunt Errorque Furorque, 35 

adsidue partes turba secuta tuas: 
his tu militibus superas hominesque deosque, 

haec tibi si demas commoda, nudus eris. 
laeta triumph anti de summo mater Olympo 

plaudet et adpositas sparge t in ora rosas, 40 

tu pinnas gemma, gemma variante capillos 

ibis in auratis aureus ipse rotis. 
tunc quoque non paucos, si te bene novimus, ures, 

tunc quoque praeteriens vulnera multa dabis. 
non possunt, licet ipse velis, cessare sagittae, 45 

fervida vicino flamma vapore nocet. 
talis erat domita Bacchus Gangetide terra: 

tu gravis alitibus, tigribus ille fuit. 
ergo cum possim sacri pars esse triumphi, 

parce tuas in me perdere, victor, opes! 50 

adspice cognati felicia Caesaris arma: 

qua vicit, victos protegit ille manu. 

LrfC 



IOO OYIDII AMORVM I, 3, 1-26; 9, 1-4. 

HI. 

Iusta precor : quae me uuper praedata puella est, 

aut amet aut faciat, cur ego semper amem! 
all, nimium volui ! tantum patiatur amari : 

audierit nostras tot Cytherea preces! 
accipe, per longos tibi qui deserviat annos, 5 

accipe, qui pura norit amare fide! 
si me non veterum eommendant magna parentum 

nomina, si nostri sanguinis auctor eques, 
nee meus innumeris renovatur campus aratris, 

temperat efc sumptus parcus uterque parens: 10 

at Phoebus comitesque novem vitisque repertor 

haec faciunt, at me qui tibi donat, Amor, 
at nulli cessura Fides, sine crimine mores 

nudaque Simplicitas purpureusque Pudor. 
non mihi mi He placent, non sum desultor amoris: 15 

tu mihi, siqua fides, cura perennis eris; 
tecum, quos dederint annos mihi fila sororum, 

vivere contingat teque dolente mori; 
te mihi materiem felicem in carmina praebe: 

provenient causa carmina digna sua. 20 

carmine nomen habent exterrita cornibus Io 

et quam fluminea lusit adulter ave 
quaeque super pontum simulato yecta iuyenco 

virginea tenuit cornua vara maim : 
nos quoque per totum pariter cantabimur orbem, 25 

iunctaque semper erunt nomina nostra tuis. 



IX. 



Militat omnis amans, et liabet sua castra Cupido: 
Attice, crede mihi, militat omnis amans. 

quae bello est habilis, Veneri quoque convenit aetas: 
turpe senex miles, turpe senilis amor; 



OVIDII AMORVM I, 9, 5-40. IOI 

quos petiere duces annos in milite forti, 5 

hos petit in socio bella puella viro; 
pervigilant ambo; terra requiescit uterque: 

ille fores dominae servat, at ille ducis; 
militis officium longa est via: mitte puellam, 

strenuus exempto fine sequetur amans; 10 

ibit in adversos montes duplicataque nimbo 

flumina, congestas exteret ille nives, 
nee freta pressurus tnmidos causabitur Euros 

aptaque verrendis sidera quaeret aquis. 
quis nisi vel miles vel amans et f rigora noctis 15 

et denso mixtas perferet imbre nives? 
mittitur infestos alter speculator in hostes, 

in rivale oculos alter, at hoste, tenet, 
ille graves urbes, hie durae limen amicae 

obsidet; hie portas frangit, at ille fores. 20 

saepe soporatos invadere profuit hostes 

caedere et armata vulgus inerme manu: 
sic fera Threicii ceciderunt agmina Rhesi, 

et dominum capti deseruistis equi; 
saepe maritorum somnis utuntur amantes, 25 

et sua sopitis hostibus arma movent, 
custodum transire manus vigilumque catervas 

militis et miseri semper amantis opus. 
Mars dubius nee certa Venus: victique resurgunt, 

quosque neges umquam posse iacere, cadunt 30 

ergo desidiam quicumque vocabat amorem, 

desinat: ingenii est experientis amor, 
ardet in abducta Briseide magnus Achilles: 

dum licet, Argivas frangite, Troes, opes! 
Hector ab Andromaches conplexibus ibat ad arma, 35 

et galeam capiti quae daret, uxor erat. 
summa ducum, Atrides, visa Priameide f ertur 

Maenadis effusis obstipuisse comis; 
Mars quoque deprensus fabrilia vincula sensit: 

notior in caelo fabula nulla f uit. 40 



102 OVIDII AMORVM I, 9, 41-4G ; 12, 1-26. ' 

ipse ego segnis eram disci nctaque in. otia natus: 

mollierant animos lectus et umbra meos; 
inpulit ignavum formosae cura puellae 

iussit et in castris aera merere suis: 
inde vides agilem nocturnaque bella gerentem. 45 

qui nolet fieri desidiosus, amet! 



XII. 

Flete meos casus: tristes rediere tabellae! 

iufelix hodie littera posse negat. 
omina sunt aliquid: modo'cum discedere vellet, 

ad limen digitos restitit iota Nape. 
missa foras iterum limen transire memento 5 

cautius atque alte sobria ferre pedem! 
ite hinc, difficiles, i unebyia ligna, tabellae, 

tuque, negaturis cera referta notis, 
quam, puto, de longae collectam flore cicutae 

melle sub infami Corsica misit apis. 10 

ab! tamquam minio penifcus medicata rubebas: 

ille color vere sanguinolentus erat. 
proieetae triviis iaceatis, inutile lignum, 

yosque rotae frangat praetereuntis onus! 
ilium etiam, qui vos ex arbore verfcifc in usum, 15 

convincam puras non habuisse manus; 
praebuit ilia arbor misero suspendia collo, 

carniiici diras praebuit ilia cruces; 
ilia dedit turpes ravis bubonibus umbras, 

vulturis in ramis et strigis ova tulit. 20 

Iris ego commisi nostros insanus amores 

molliaque ad dominam verba ferenda cledi! 
aptius hae capiant vadimonia garrula cerae, 

quas aliquis duro cognitor ore legat; 
inter ephemeridas melius tabulasque iacerent, 25 

in quibus absumptas fleret avarus opes. 



OYIDII AMOJRV3I I, 12, 27-30 ; 15, 1-28. 103 

ergo ego vos rebus duplices pro nomine sensi : 

auspicii numerus non erat ipse boni. 
quid precer iratus, nisi vos cariosa senectus 

rodat, et inmundo cera sit alba situ ? 30 



XV. 

Quid mihi, Livor edax, ignavos obicis annos, 

ingeniique vocas carmen inerfcis opus; 
non me more patrnm, dum strenua sustinet aetas, 

praemia militiae pulverulenta sequi 
nee me verbosas leges ediscere nee me 5 

ingrato vocem prostituisse foro ? 
mortale est, quod quaeris, opus; mihi fama perennis 

quaeritur,, in to to semper ut orbe canar. 
vivet Maeonides, Tenedos dum stabit et Ide, 

dum rapidas Simois in mare vol vet aquas; * 10 

vivet et Ascraeus, dum mustis uva tumebit, 

dum cadet incurva falce resecta Ceres; 
Battiades semper toto cantabitnr orbe: 

quamvis ingenio non valet 3 arte valet; 
nulla Sophocleo veniet i act ura cotliurno; 15 

cum sole et luna semper Aratus erit; 
dum fallax servus, durus pater, inproba lena 

vivent et meretrix blanda, Menandros erit; 
Ennius arte carens animosique Accius oris 

casurum nullo tempore nomen habenfc. 20 

Varronem primamque ratem quae nesciet aetas, 

aureaque Aesonio terga petita duci ? 
carmina sublimis tunc sunt peritura Lucreti, 

exitio terras cum dabit una dies; 
Tityrus et segetes Aeneiaque arma legentur, 25 

Eoma triumphabi dum caput orbis erit; 
donee erunt ignes arcusque Cupidinis arma, 

discentur numeric culte Tibulle, tui; 



104 OVIDII AMORVM I, 15, 29-42. 

Gallus et Hesperiis et Gallus notus Eois, 

et sua cum Gallo nota Lycoris erit. 30 

ergo, cum silices, cum dens patientis aratri 

depereant aevo, carmina morte carent : 
cedaut carminibus reges regumque triumphi, 

cedat et auriferi ripa benigna Tagi! 
vilia miretur valgus; mihi flavus Apollo 35 

pocala Castalia plena ministret aqua, 
sustineamque coma metuentem frigora my r turn 

atque ita sollicito multus amante legar! 
pascitar in vivis Livor, post fata quiescit, 

cum suus ex merito quemque tuetur honos. 40 

ergo etiam cum me supremus adederit ignis, 

vivam, parsque mei multa superstes erit. 



P. OVIDII NASONIS 

AMORVM 
LIBER SECVNDVS. 

I. 

Hoc quoque conposui Paelignis natus aquosis, 

ille ego nequitiae Naso poeta meae; 
hoc quoque iussit Amor : procul hinc, procul este, severae ! 

non estis teaeris apta theatra modis. 
me legat in sponsi facie non frigida virgo 5 

et rudis ignoto tactus amore puer; 
atque aliquis iuvenum, quo nunc ego, saucius arcu 

agnoscat flammae conscia signa suae 
miratusque diu ' quo ' dicat ' ab indice doctus 

conposuit casus iste poeta meos ? 9 10 

ausus eram, memini, caelestia dicere bella 

centimanumque Gygen (et satis oris erat) 
cum male se Tellus ulta est, ingestaque Olympo 

ardua derexum Pelion Ossa tulit; 
in manibus nimbos et cum love fulmen habebam, 15 

quod bene pro caelo mitteret ille suo; 
clausit arnica fores: ego cum love fulmen omisi; 

excidit ingenio Iuppiter ipse meo. 
Xuppiter, ignoscas: nil me tua tela iuvabant, 

clausa tuo maius ianua fulmen habet; 20 

blanditias elegosque levis, mea tela, resumpsi: 

mollierunt duras lenia verba fores, 
carmina sanguineae deducunt cornua lunae, 

et revocant niveos Solis euntis equos; 



106 OVIDII AMORVM II,, I, 25-38 ; 6, 1-18. 

carmine dissiliunt abruptis faucibus angues, 25 

inque suos fontes versa recurrit aqua; 
carminibus cessere fores, insertaque posti, 

qtiamvis robur erat, carmine victa sera est. 
quid mihi profuerit velox cantatus Achilles? 

quid pro me Atrides alter efc alter agent, 30 

quique tot errando, quot bello, perdidit annos, 

raptus et Haemoniis flebilis Hector equis ? 
nt facies tenerae laudata est saepe puellae, 

ad vatem, pretium carminis, ipsa venit. 
magna clatur merces! heroum clara valete 35 

nomina: non apta est gratia vestra mihi. 
ad mea formosos vultus adhibete, puellae, 

carmina, purpureus quae mihi dictat Amor! 



VI. 



Psittacus, Eois imitatrix ales ab India, 

occidit: exequias ite frequenter, aves; 
ite, piae volucres, eb plangite pectora pinnis 

et rigido teneras nngue notate genas; 
horrida pro maestis lanietur pluma capillis, 5 

pro longa resonent carmina vestra tuba! 
quod seel us Ismarii qnereris, Philomela, tyranni, 

expleta est annis ista querella suis; 
alitis in rarae miserum devertere funus: 

magna, sed autiqua est causa doloris Itys. 10 

omnes, quae liquido libratis in aere cursus, 

tu tamen ante alios, turtur amice, dole! 
plena fuit vobis omni concordia vita, 

et stetit ad finem longa tenaxque fides: 
quod fuit Argolico iuvenis Phoceus Orestae, 15 

hoc tibi, dum licuit, psittace, turtur erat. 
quid tamen ista fides, quid rari forma coloris, 

quid vox mutandis ingeniosa sonis, 



OVIDII AMORVM II, 6, 19-54. IO7 

quid iuvat, ut datus es, nostrae placuisse puellae 

inf elix, avium gloria, nempe iaces ! 20 

tu poteras fragiles pinnis hebetare smaragdos 

tincta gerens rubro Punica rostra croco. 
non fuit in terris vocum simulautior ales: 

reddebas blaeso tarn bene verba sono! 
raptus es iuvidia: non tu fera bella movebas; 25 

garrulus et placidae pacis amator eras, 
ecce, coturnices inter sua proelia vivimt, 

for si tan et fiant inde frequenter anus, 
plenus eras niinimo, nee prae sermonis amore 

in multos poteras ora vacare cibos; 30 

mix erat esca tibi causaeque papavera somni, 

pellebatque sitini simplicis umor aquae. 
vivit edax valtur ducensque per aera gyros 

miluus et pluviae graculus auctor aquae; 
vivit et armiferae cornix invisa Minervae, 35 

ilia quidem saeelis vix moritura novem: 
occidit ilia loquax humanae vocis imago, 

psittacus, extremo munus ab orbe datum! 
optima prima fere manibus rapiuntar avaris, 

inplentar numeris deteriora sais: 40 

tristia Phylacidae Thersites f anera vidifc, 

iamque cinis vivis fratribus Hector erat. 
quid referam timidae pro te pia vota puellae, 

vota procelloso per mare rapta Xoto ? 
septima lux venit non exliibitura sequentem, 45 

(et stabat vacuo iam tibi Parca colo) 
nee tamen ignavo stupuerunt verba palato: 

clamavit moriens lingua, ' Corinna, vale! ' 
colle sub Elysio nigra nemus ilice frondet, 

udaque perpetuo gramine terra viret: 50 

siqua fides dubiis, volucrum locus ille piarum 

dicitur, obscaenae quo proliibentur aves ; 
illic innocui late pascuntur olores 

et vivax phoenix, unica semper avis; 



108 OVIDII AMORVM II, 6, 55-62 ; 9, 1-24. 

explicat ipsa suas ales Iunonia pinnas, 55 

oscula dat cupido blanda columba mari. 
psittacus lias inter nemorali sede receptus 

convertit volucres in sua verba pias. 
ossa tegit tumulus, tumulus pro corpore magnus, 

quo lapis exiguus par sibi carmen habet: 60 

'colligor ex ipso dominae placuisse sepulcro; 

ora fuere mihi plus ave docta loqui.' 



IX. 

numquam pro me satis indignate Cupido, 

o in corde meo desidiose puer, 
quid me, qui miles numquam tua signa reliqui, 

laedis, et in castris vulneror ipse meis ? 
cur tua fax urit, figit tuus arcus amicos ? 5 

gloria pugnantes vincere maior erat. 
quid ? non Haemonius, quern cuspide perculit, heros 

confossum medica postmodo iuvit ope ? 
venator sequitur fugientia, capta relinquit 

semper et inventis ulteriora petit. 10 

nos tua sentimus, populus tibi deditus, arma, 

pigra reluctanti cessat in lioste manus. 
quid iuvat in nudis hamata retundere tela 

ossibus ? ossa mihi nuda relinquit amor, 
tot sine amore viri, tot sunt sine amore puellae: 15 

hinc tibi cum magna laude triumphus eat. 
Roma, nisi inmensum vires movisset in orbem, 

stramineis esset nunc quoque tecfca casis. 
fessus in acceptos miles deducitur agros, 

mittitur in saltus carcere liber equus; 20 

longaque subductam celant navalia pinum, 

tutaque deposito, poscitur ense rudis : 
me quoque, qui totiens rnerui sub amore puellae, 

def unctum placide vivere tempus erat. 






OVIDII AMORVSI II, 9, 25-54 ; 12, 1-2. 109 

1 Vive ' deus ' posito ' siquis mihi dicat ' amore/ 25 

deprecer: usque adeo dulce puella malum est. 
cum bene pertaesum est, animoque relanguit ardor, 

nescio quo miserae turbine mentis agor. 
ut rapit in praeceps dominum spumantia frustra 

frena retentantem durior oris equus, 30 

ut subitus, prope iam preusa tellure, carinam 

tangentem portus ventus in alta rapit,, 
sic me saepe refert incerta Cupidinis aura, 

notaque purpureus tela resumit Amor, 
fige, puer! positis nudus tibi praebeor armis: 35 

hi" tibi sunt vires, hue tua dextra facit; 
hue tamquam iussae veniunt iam sponte sagittae: 

vix illis prae me nota pharetra sua est. 
infelix, tota quicumque quiescere nocte 

sustiuet et somnos praemia magna vocat: 40 

stulte, quid est sonmus, gelidae nisi mortis imago ? 

longa quiescendi tempora fata dabunt. 
me modo decipiant voces fallacis amicae, 

sperando certe gaudia magna feram; 
et modo blanditias dicat, modo iurgia nectat; 45 

saepe fruar domina, saepe repulsus earn, 
quod dubius Mars est, per te, privigne Oupido, est, 

et movet exemplo vitricus arma tuo. 
tu levis es multoque tuis ventosior alis 

gaudiaque ambigua dasque negasque fide; 50 

si tamen exaudis, pulchra cum matre, Cupido, 

indeserta meo pectore regna gere ; 
accedant regno, nimium vaga turba, puellae : 

ambobus populis sic venerandus eris. 



XII. 

Ite triumphales circum mea tempora laurus ! 
vicimus: in nostro est, ecce, Corinna sinu, 



IIO OVIDII AMORVM II, 12, 3-28 ; 16, 1-6. 

quam vir, quam custos, quam ianua firma, tot hostes, 

servabant, nequa posset ab arte capi. 
haec est praecipuo victoria digna triumpho, 5 

in qua, quaecumque est, sanguine praeda caret, 
non hu miles muri, non par vis oppida fossis 

cincta, sed est ductu capta puella meo. 
Pergama cum cad ere nt bello superata bilustri, 

ex tot in Atridis pars quota laudis erat? 10 

at mea seposita est et ab omtii milite dissors 

gloria, nee titulum muneris alter habet: 
me duce ad banc voti finem, me milite veni; 

ipse eques, ipse pedes, siguifer ipse fui. 
nee casum fortuna meis inmiscuit actis: 15 

hue ades, o cura parte Triumphe mea! 
nee belli est nova causa mei: nisi rapta fuisset 

Tyndaris, Europae pax Asiaeque foret: 
femina silvestris Lapithas populumque biformem 

turpiter adposito vertit in arma mero; 20 

femina Troianos iterum nova bella movere 

inpulit in regno, iuste Latine, tuo; 
femina Romanis etiamnunc urbe recenti 

inmisit soceros armaque saeva dedit. 
vidi ego pro nivea pugnantes coniuge tauros: 25 

spectatrix anirnos ipsa iuvenca dabat. 
me quoque, qui multos, sed me sine caede, Cupido 

iussit militiae signa movere suae. 



XVI. 

Pars me Sulmo tenet Paeligni tertia ruris, 
parva, sed inriguis ora salubris aquis, 

sol licet admoto tellurem sidere findat, 
et micet Icarii stella proterva canis: 

arva pererrantur Paeligna liquentibus undis. 
et viret in tenero fertilis lierba solo. 



OVIDII AMORVM II, 16, 7-42. I I I 

terra ferax Cereris multoque feracior uvis, 

dat quoque baciferam Palladia rarus ager, 
perque resurgentes rivis labentibus lierbas 

gramineus madidam caespes obunibrat hunium. 10 

at rneus ignis abest: yerbo peccavimus uno! 

quae movet arc! ores, est procul; ardor adesfc. 
non ego, si meclius Polluce et Castore ponar, 

in caeli sine te parte f uisse velim. 
solliciti iaceant terraque premantur iniqua, 15 

in loDgas orbem qui secuere vias; 
aut iuvenam comites iassissent ire puollas, 

si f uit in longas terra secanda vias ! 
tum niihi, si premerem yentosas Lorridus Alpes, 

dummodo cum domina, molle faisset iter; 20 

cum domina Libycas ausim perrumpere Syrtes 

et dare non aequis vela ferenda Xotis; 
non quae virgineo portenta sub inguine latrant, 

nee timeam yestros, curva Malea, sinus, 
non quae submersis ratibus saturata Charybdis 25 

fundit et effusas ore receptat aquas, 
quod si Xeptuni yentosa potentia yincit, 

et subyentaros auferet unda deos, 
tu nostris niyeos umeris inpone lacertos: 

corpore nos facili dulce feremus onus; 30 

saepe petens Heron iuvenis transnayerat undas: 

tum quoque transnasset, sed yia caeca fuit. 
at sine te, quamyis operosi vitibus agri 

me teneant, quamvis amnibus arya natent, 
et yocet in rivos currentem rusticus undam, 35 

frigidaque arboreas mulceat aura comas, 
non ego Paelignos yideor celebrare salubres, 

non ego natalem, rura paterna, locum, 
sed Scythiam Cilicasque feros viridesque Britannos, 

quaeque Prometheo saxa cruore rubent. 40 

ulmus amat yitem, vitis non deserit ulmum: 

separor a domina cur ego saepe mea ? 



112 



OVIDII AMORVM II, 16, 43-52. 



at milii te comitem iuraras usque futuram 

per me perque oculos, sidera nostra, tuos: 
verba puellarum, foliis leviora caducis, 45 

inrita, qua visum est, ventus et unda ferunt. 
siqua mei tameu est in te pia cura relicti, 

incipe pollicitis addere facta tuis 
parvaque quam primum rapientibus esseda mannis 

ipsa per admissas concute lora iubas! 50 

at vos, qua veniet, tumidi, subsidite, montes, 

et faciles curvis vallibus este, viae! 



P. OVIDII NASONIS 

AMOEVM 

LIBER TERTIVS. 



Stat vetus et multos incaedua silva per annos: 

credibile est illi numeii inesse loco; 
fons sacer in medio speluncaque pumice pendens, 

et latere ex omni dnlce queruntur aves. 
hie ego dum spatior tectus nemoralibus umbris, 5 

(quod mea, quaerebam, ]\Iusa moveret opus) 
venit odoratos Elegeia nexa capillos, 

et, puto, pes illi longior alter erat: 
forma decens, Testis tenuissima, vultus amantis; 

et pedibus yitium causa decoris erat. 10 

venit et ingenti violenta Tragoedia passu 

(f route comae torva, palla iacebat humi; 
laeva man us sceptrum late regale movebat, 

Lydius alta pedum vincla cothurnus erat) 
et prior ' ecquis erit ' dixit ' tibi finis amandi, 15 

o argumenti lente poeta tui ? 
nequitiam vinosa tuam convivia narrant, 

narrant in multas compita secta vias. 
saepe aliquis digito vatem designat euntern, 

atque ait "hie, hie est, quern ferus urit Amor/' 20 

fabula, nee sentis, tota iactaris in urbe, 

dum tua praeterito facta pudore refers, 
tempus erat, thyrso pulsum graviore moveri; 

cessatum satis est: incipe maius opus! 

8 



114 OVIDII AMORVM III,, 1,25-60. 

materia premis ingenium; cane facta virorum: 25 

" haec animo " dices " area facta meo est." 
quod tenerae cantent, lusit tua Musa, puellae, 

primaque per nnmeros acta iuventa sues; 
nunc habeam per te Romana Tragoedia nomen! 

inplebit leges spiritus iste meas.' 30 

hactenus, et movit pictis innixa cotlmrnis 

densum caesarie terque quaterque caput, 
altera, si memini, limis subrisit ocellis; 

(fallor, an in dextra myrtea virga fuit ?) 
6 quid gravibus verbis, animosa Tragoedia,' dixit 35 

' me premis ? an numquam nou gravis esse potes ? 
inparibus tamen es numeris dignata moveri: 

in me pugnasti versibus usa meis. 
non ego contulerim sublimia carmina nostris: 

obruit exiguas regia vesfcra fores. 40 

sum levis, et mecum levis est, mea cura, Cupido: 

non sum materia fortior ipsa mea; 
rustica sit sine me lascivi mater Amoris: 

huic ego proveni lena comesque deae; 
quam tu non poteris duro reserare cothurno, 45 

haec est blanditiis ianua laxa meis; 
et tamen emerui plus, quam tu, posse ferendo 

multa supercilio non patienda tuo. 
per me decepto didicit custode Corinna 

liminis adstricti sollicitare Mem 50 

delabique toro tunica yelata soluta 

atque inpercussos nocte movere pedes, 
vel quotiens foribus duris inlisa pependi, 

non verita a populo praet eremite legi; 
quin ego me memini, dum custos saevns abiret, 55 

ancillae missam delituisse sinu; 
quid, cum me munus natali mittis, at ill-a 

rumpit et adposita barbara mersit aqua ? 
prima tuae movi felicia semina mentis: 

munus habes, quod te iam petit ista, meum.' 60 






OVIDII AMORVM III, I, 61-70; 2, 1-22. I I 5 

desierat; coepi 'per vos utraraque rogamus, 

in vacuas aures verba timentis eant. 
altera me sceptro decoras altoque cotliurno: 

iam nunc contacto magnus in ore sonus; 
altera das nostro victurum nomen amori: 65 

ergo ades et longis versibus adde brevis! 
exiguum vati concede, Tragoedia, tempus: 

tu labor aeternus; quod petit ilia, breve est.' 
mota dedit veniam: teneri properentur Amores, 

dum vacat; a tergo grandius urguet opus. 70 



II. 



'No 11 ego nobilium sedeo studiosus equorum: 

cui tamen. ipsa faves, vincat ut ille, precor. 
ut loquerer tecum, veui, tecumque sederem, 

ne tibi liou notus, quern facis, esset amor, 
tu cursus spectas, ego te: spec tennis uterque, 5 

quod iuvat, atque oculos pascat uterque suos! 
o, cuicumqne faves, felix agitator equorum! 

ergo illi curae contigit esse tuae ? 
hoc mi lii contingat, sacro de carcere missis 

iusistam forti mente veheudus equis 10 

et modo lora dabo, modo verbere terga notabo, 

nunc stringam metas iuterioro rota, 
si milii currenti f ueris conspecta, morabor, 

deque meis manibus lora remissa flueut. 
at quam paene Pelops Pisaea concidit hasta, 15 

dum spectat vultus, Hippodamia, tuos! 
nempe favore suae vicit tamen ille puellae. 

vincamiiG dominae quisque favore suae! 
quid frustra refugis? cogit nos linea iungi: 

haec in lege loci commoda circus habet. 20 

tu tamen, a dextra quicumque es, parce puellae : 

contactu lateris laeditur ista tui. 



Il6 OYIDII AMOKYM III, 2, 23-58. 

tu quoque, qui spectas post nos, tua contrahe crura, 

si pudor est, rigido nee preme terga genu ! 
sed nimium demissa iacent tibi pallia terra: 25 

collige! vel digitis en ego tollo meis. 
invida vestis eras, quae tarn bona crura tegebas; 

quoque magis spectes — invida vestis eras, 
talia Milanion Atalantes crura f ugacis 

optavit manibus sustinuisse suis; 30 

talia piuguntur succinctae crura Dianae, 

cum sequitur fortes fortior ipsa feras. 
his ego non visis arsi; quid net ab ipsis ? 

in flammam flammas, in mare fundis aquas, 
suspicor ex istis et cetera posse placere, 35 

quae bene sub tenui condita veste latent, 
vis tamen interea faciles arcessere ventos ? 

quos faciet nostra mota tabella manu. 
an magis hie meus est animi, non aeris aestus, 

captaque femineus pectora torret amor? 40 

dum loquor, alba levi sparsa est tibi pulvere vestis: 

sordide de niveo corpore pulvis abi! 
sed iam pompa venit: linguis animisque favete! 

tempus adest plausus: aurea pompa venit. 
prima loco f ertur passis Victoria pinnis : 45 

hue ades et meus hie fac, dea, vincat amor! 
plaudite Neptuno, nimium qui creditis undis! 

nil mihi cum pelago, me mea terra capit. 
plaude tuo Marti, miles! nos odimus arma: 

pax iuvat et media pace repertus amor. 50 

auguribus Phoebus, Phoebe venantibus adsit, 

artifices in te verte, Minerva, manus; 
ruricolae, Oereri teneroque adsurgite Baccho, 

Pollucem pugiles, Castora placet eques ! 
nos tibi, blanda Venus, puerisque potentibus arcu 55 

plaudimus: inceptis adnue, diva, meis 
daque novam mentem dominae! patiatur amari! 

adnuit et niofcu signa secunda dedit. 



OVIDII AMORVM III, 2, 59-84; 3, 1-6. 11/ 

quod dea promisit, promittas ipsa, rogamus : 

pace loquar Veneris, tu dea maior eris. 60 

per tibi tot iuro testes pompamque deorum, 

te domiDam nobis temp us in omne peti. 
sed pendent tibi crura: potes, si forte iuvabit, 

cancellis primos inseruisse pedes, 
maxima iam vacuo praetor spectacula circo G5 

quadriiugos aequo carcere mi sit equos. 
cui studeas, video; vincet, cuicumque favebis: 

quid cupias, ipsi scire videntur equi. 
me miserum! metam spatioso circuit orbe. 

quid facis ? admoto proxumus axe subit. 70 

quid facis, infelix? perdis bona vota puellae: 

tende, precor, valida lora sinistra manu! 
favimus ignavo; sed enim relocate, Quirites, 

et date iactatis undique sigua togis! 
en, revocant! at, ne turbet toga mota capillos, 75 

in nostros abdas te licet usque sinus. 
iamque patent iterum reserato carcere postes: 

evolat admissis discolor agmen equis. 
nunc saltern supera spatioque insurge patenti: 

sint mea, sint dominae fac rata vota meae! 80 

sunt dominae rata vota meae, mea vota supersunt; 

ille tenet palmam: palma petenda mea est/ 
risit et argutis quiddam promisit ocellis: 

hoc satis hie; alio cetera redde loco! 



III. 



Esse deos i crede: fidem iurata fefellit, 
et facies illi, quae fuit ante, manet! 

quam longos habuit nondum periura capillos, 
tarn longos, postquam numina laesit, habet; 

Candida candorem roseo suffusa rubore 
ante fuit: niveo lucet in ore rubor; 



Il8 OYIDII AMORVM III, 3, 7-42. 

pes erat exiguus: pedis est artissima forma; 

longa decensque fuit: longa decensque manet; 
argutos liabuit : radiant ut sidus ocelli, 

per quos mentita est perfida saepe mihi. 10 

scilicet aeterno falsum iurare puellis 

di quoque concedunt, formaque numen habet. 
perque suos illam nuper iurasse recordor 

perque meos oculos: et doluere mei! 
dicite, di, si vos inpune fefellerat ilia, 15 

alterius meriti cur ego damna tuli ? 
at non invidiae vobis Cepheia virgo est, 

pro male f ormosa iussa parente mori ? 
non satis est, quod vos habui sine pondere testis, 

et mecum lusos ridet inulta deos ? 20 

ut sua per nostram redimat periuria poenam, 

victima decepfcus decipientis ero ? 
aut sine re nomen deus est frustraque timetur 

et stulfca populos credulitate movet, 
aut, siquis deus est, teneras amat ille puellas 25 

et nimium solas omnia posse iubet. 
nobis fatifero Mavors accingitur ense, 

nos petit invicta Palladis hasta manu, 
nobis flexibiles curvantur Apollinis arcus, 

in nos alta lovis dextera fulmen habet; 30 

formosas superi metuunt offendere laesi 

atque ultro, quae se non timuere, timent. 
et quisquam pia tura f ocis inponere curat ? 

certe plus animi debet inesse viris. 
Iuppiter igne suo lucos iaculatur et arces 35 

missaque periuras tela ferire vetat; 
tot meruere peti: Semele miserabilis arsit! 

officio est illi poena reperba suo; 
at si yenturo se subduxisset amanti, 

non pater in Baccho matris haberet opus. 40 

quid queror et toto facio convicia caelo ? 

di quoque habent oculos, di quoque pectus liabent! 



OVIDII AMOKVM III, 3,43-48; 9,1-26. 1 19 

si deus ipse f orem, numen sine fraude liceret 

femina mendaci falleret ore meum; 
ipse ego iurarem verum iurare puellas 45 

et non de tetricis dicerer esse deus. 
tu tamen illorum moderatius utere dono, 

atit oculis certe parce, puella, meis! 



IX. 



Memnona si mater, mater ploravit Achillem, 

et tangunt magnas tristia fata deas, 
flebilis indignos, Elegeia, solve capillos! 

all! nimis ex vero nunc tibi nomen erit: 
ille tui vates operis, tua fama, Tibullus 5 

ardet in extructo, corpus inane, rogo. 
ecce, puer Veneris fert eversamque pharetram 

et fractos arcus et sine luce facem; 
adspice, demissis ut eat miserabilis alis 

pectoraque infesta tundat aperta manu; 10 

excipiunt lacrimas sparsi per colla capilli, 

oraque singultu concutiente sonant: 
fratris in Aeneae sic ilium funere dicunt 

egressum tectis, pulcher Inle, tuis; 
nee minus est confusa Venus moriente Tibullo, 15 

quam iuveni rupit cum ferus inguen aper. 
at sacri vates et divum cura vocamur; 

sunt etiam, qui nos numen habere putent. 
scilicet omne sacrum mors inportuna profanat, 

omnibus obscuras inicit ilia manus! 20 

quid pater Ismario, quid mater prof uit Orpheo ? 

carmine quid victas obstipuisse f eras ? 
et Linon in silvis idem pater ' aelinon! ' altis 

dicitur invita concinuisse lyra; 
adice Maeoniden, a quo ceu f onte perenni 25 

vatum Pieriis ora rigantur aquis ; 



120 OVIDII AMORYM III, 9, 27-62. 

hunc quoque summa dies nigro submersit Averno. 

defugiunt avidos carmina sola rogos: 
durat, opus vatnm, Troiani fania laboris 

tardaque nocturno tela retexta dolo. 30 

sic Nemesis longum, sic Delia nomen habebunt, 

altera cura recens, altera primus amor, 
quid vos sacra iuvant ? quid nunc Aegyptia prosunt 

sistra ? quid in vacuo secubuisse toro ? 
cum rapiunt mala fata bonos (ignoscite fasso!) 35 

sollicitor nullos esse putare deos. 
vive pius: moriere; pius cole sacra: colentem 

Mors gravis a templis in cava busta trahet; 
carminibus confide bonis: iacet, ecce, Tibullus; 

vix manet e toto, parva quod urna capit. 40 

tene, sacer vates, flammae rapuere rogales 

pectoribus pasci nee timuere tuis ? 
aurea sanctorum potuissent templa deorum 

urere, quae tantum sustinuere nefas. 
avertit yultus, Erycis quae possidet arces: 45 

sunt quoque, qui lacrimas continuisse negant. 
sed tamen hoc melius, quam si Phaeacia tellus 

ignotum yili supposuisset humo : 
liinc certe madidos fugientis pressit ocellos 

mater et in cineres ultima dona tulit; 50 

liinc soror in partem mi sera cum matre doloris 

venit inornatas dilaniata comas, 
cumque tuis sua iunxerunt Nemesisque priorque 

oscula nee solos destituere rogos. 
Delia descendens ' felicius ' inquit ' amata 55 

sum tibi: vixisti, dum tuns ignis eram. 5 
cui Nemesis ' quid ' ait 6 tibi sunt mea damna dolori ? 

me tenuit moriens deficiente manu. 5 
si tamen e nobis aliquid nisi nomen et umbra 

restat, in Elysia valle Tibullus erit: 60 

obvius huic venias hedera iuvenalia cinctus 

tempora cum Calvo, docte Catulle, tuo; 



OVIDII AMORVM III, 9, 63-68 ; n, 1-32. 121 

tu quoque, si falsum est temerati crimen amici, 

sanguinis atque animae prodige Galle tuae. 
his comes umbra tua est; siqua est modo corporis umbra, 65 

auxisti numeros, culte Tibulle, pios. 
ossa quieta, precor, tuta requiescite in urna, 

et sit humus cineri non onerosa tuo ! 



XL 

Multa diuque tuli: vitiis patientia victa est; 

cede fatigato pectore, turpis amor! 
scilicet adserui iam me fugique catenas, 

et quae non puduit ferre, tulisse pudet. 
vicimus et domitum pedibus calcamus amorem: 5 

venerunt capiti cornua sera meo. 
perf er et obdura ! dolor hie tibi proderit olim : 

saepe tulit lassis sucus amarus opem. 
ergo ego sustinui, foribus tarn saepe repulsus, 

ingenuum dura ponere corpus humo ? 10 

quando ego non fixus lateri patienter adhaesi, 17 

ipse tuus custos, ipse vir, ipse comes ? 
scilicet et populo per me cantata placebas : 

causa f uit multis noster amoris amor. 20 

turpia quid referam vanae mendacia linguae 

et periuratos in mea damna deos ? 
quid iuvenum tacitos inter convivia nutus 

verbaque conpositis dissimulata notis ? 
dicta erat aegra mihi: praeceps amensque cucurri; 25 

veni, et rivali non erat aegra meo. 
his et quae taceo duravi saepe ferendis: 

quaere alium pro me, qui queat ista pati; 
iam mea votiva puppis redimita corona 

lenta tumescentes aequoris audit aquas. 30 

desine blanditias et verba, potentia quondam, 

perdere: non ego sum stultus, ut ante fui. 



122 OVIDII AMORVM III, 11,33-52; 13,1-12. 

luctantur pectusque leve in contraria tendunt 

liac amor hac odium, sed, puto, vincit amor, 
odero, si potero; si non, invitus amabo: 35 

nee iuga taurus amat; quae tamen odit, habet. 
nequitiam fugio: fugientem forma reducit; 

aversor morum crimina: corpus amo; 
sic ego nee sine te nee tecum vivere possum 

et videor voti nescius esse mei. 40 

aut f ormosa fores minus, aut minus inproba, vellem : 

non facit ad mores tarn bona forma malos. 
facta merent odium, facies exorat amorem: 

me miserum! vitiis plus valet ilia suis! 
parce, per o lecti socialia iura, per omnis, 45 

qui dant fallendos se tibi saepe, deos 
perque tuam faciem, magni mihi numinis instar, 

perque tuos oculos, qui rapuere meos! 
quid quid eris, mea semper eris; tu selige tan turn, 

me quoque velle velis, anne coactus amem! 50 

lintea dem potius ventisque ferentibus utar, 

ut, quamvis nolim, cogar amare, velim. 



XIII. 

Cum mihi pomiferis coniunx foret orta Paliscis, 

moenia contigimus victa, Camille, tibi. 
casta sacerdotes Iunoni festa parabant 

per celebres ludos indigenamque bovem: 
grande morae pretium ritus cognoscere, quamvis 5 

difficilis clivis hue via praebet iter, 
stat vetus et densa praenubilus arbore lucus; 

adspice: concedes numen inesse loco; 
accipit ara preces votivaque tura piorum, 

ara per antiquas facta sine arte manus. 10 

hinc, ubi praesonuit sollemni tibia cantu, 

it per velatas annua pompa vias; 



OVIDII AMORYM III, 13, 13-36 ; 15, 1-8. 1 23 

ducuntur niveae populo plaudente iuvencae, 

quas aluit campi&herba Falisca suis, 
et vituli nondam metaenda fronte minaces 15 

et minor ex humili victima pore as hara 
duxque gregis cornu per tempora dura recurvo; 

invisa est dominae sola capella deae : 
illius indicio silvis inventa sub altis 

dicitur inceptam destituisse fugam; 20 

nunc quoque per pueros iaculis incessitur index 

et pretium auctori vulneris ipsa datur. 
qua ventura dea est, iuvenes timidaeque puellae 

praeverrunt latas veste iacente vias: 
virginei crines auro gemmaque premuntur, 25 

et tegit auratos palla superba pedes; 
more patrum Graio velatae vestibus albis 

tradita supposito vertice sacra ferunt. 
ore favent populi tunc, cum venit aurea pompa, 

ipsa sacerdotes subsequiturque suas. 30 

Argiva est pompae facies: Agamemnone caeso 

et scelus et patrias fugit Halaesus opes 
iamque pererratis prof ugus terraque fretoque 

moenia felici condidit alta manu; 
ille suos docuit Iunonia sacra Faliscos : 35 

sint mini, sint populo semper arnica suo! 



XV. 



Quaere novum vatem, tenerorum mater Amoruni: 

raditur hie elegis ultima meta meis; 
quos ego conposui, Paeligni ruris alumnus, 

(nee me deliciae dedecuere meae) 
siquid id est, usque a proavis vetus ordinis heres, 

non modo militiae turbine factus eques. 
Mantua Vergilio gaudet, Verona Catullo; 

Paelignae dicar gloria gentis ego, 



124 



OVIDII AMORVM III, 15, 9-20. 



quam sua libertas ad honesta coegerat arma, 

cum timuit socias anxia Eonia manus. 
atque aliquis spectans hospes Sulmonis aquosi 

moenia, quae campi iugera pauca tenent, 
' quae tantum ' dicat ' potuistis ferre poetam, 

quantulacumque estis, vos ego magna voco.' 
culte puer puerique parens Amathusia culti, 

aurea de campo yellite signa meo! 
corniger increpuit thyrso graviore Lyaeus: 

pulsanda est magnis area maior equis. 
inbelles el'egi, genialis Musa, valete, 

post mea mansurum fata superstes opus ! 



10 



15 



20 



COMMENTARY. 

TIBULLUS. 

I, i. 

Probably written on returning to Rome after his illness at Corcyra 
(cf. i, 3, and Introduction, 21). It is an apology for not following 
Messalla, who was still in the East. Though composed later than the 
third poem, its admirable fitness to serve as an introduction, contrasted 
with the abruptness of the second and third elegies, accounts sufficiently 
for its transposition to the beginning. 

The first forty lines are general in character. After the introduction — 
riches for others, the comforts of home for him (1-6), he sketches the 
two great divisions of a farmer's activity ; the crops (7-24) and the flocks 
(25-40). Then in 1. 41, repeating in altered form the thought of 1. 1, he 
becomes more confidential. It is domestic bliss that he craves (41-50), 
it is Delia's tears that keep him from Messalla, for she is his one thought 
(51-58), in death (59-68) as in life (69-78). 

1. Divitias alius : strikes the key-note to the whole poem. Cf. 1. 41 : 
non ego divitias requiro ; 1. 49 : sit dives iure ; 1. 78 : despiciam dites. 
Alius with the Subjunctive is the usual formula of deprecation ; cf. i, 
io, 29 : alius sit fortes. Cf. destituat, 1. 9 below, and notice the varying 
force of the Potential Subjunctive. 

3. labor adsiduus : the poet's own desire is for a vita iners (1. 5) where 
only the fire is active, igne adsiduo (I. 6). Labor, the hardships of a sol- 
dier's life, is similarly used by Caesar, B. G., vin, 4: cum nostros adsiduo 
labor e defatigarent. 

4. somnos fugent : contrast Tibullus's own ideal, securum somnos sequi 
(1. 48). classica pulsa : the blasts of the trumpet; pellere, which is 
common with the lyre, is applied by transfer to the trumpet. 

5. mea paupertas : in classical Latin poetry paupertas should not be 
rendered by poverty unless it be found accompanied by some intensifying 
adjective, e.g. Hor., C, ill, 16, 37 : inpor tuna paupertas. It represents 
more nearly modest circumstances or slender means. vita traducat 
inerti : may carry me through my life in ease (lit. by a life of ease) ; the 



126 COMMENTARY. [I, I, 

Abl. is occasional in military style for the second Ace. ; here the metaphor 
is made more striking by its use. 

6. focus : only the very poor were without a hearth ; cf. Cat., xxiii, 
2 : Furi cut neque servus est. . .neque ignis. 

7. ipse : with my own hands. 

8. rusticus : a farmer. Tibullus implies here that he would make no 
mean farmer, he would plant at the right time (maturo tempore, 1. 7), 
and with a trained hand (facili manu, 1. 8). His intimate knowledge 
of farm work and country customs (cf . especially Bk. n, i and 3) cor- 
roborates his statement. poma : is used here iov pomos, apple-trees; 
cf. Verg., a., 11, 426. 

10. pleno pinguia musta lacu : just as the crops were to be plentiful (fru- 
gum acervos, 1. 9), so the fresh-pressed grape-juice (mustum) was to be 
rich and thick (pinguis), and filling the vat (lacus) of the wine-press. 

11. nam veneror: Tibullus in his poetry is always worshipping. He 
was not, like Horace (C, 1, 34, 1), parous deorum cultor et infrequens. 
stipes . . . lapis : probably a reference to the worship of the god Terminus 
in the guise of 'stocks and stones/ 

14. agricolae . . . deo : probably Silvanus. Cf. Verg., A., vm, 600, 601 : 
Silvano arvorum pecorisque deo ; CIL. xn, 103 (= Buecheler, AL. 19, 1, 2): 
Silvane . . .huius alti summe custos hortuli ; and CIL. ix, 3375 (= AL. 
250) : Silvane . . . sanetissime pastor. ante : adverbial. 

15. flava: As Horace (C, 11, 13, 21) calls Proserpina furva because she 
rules in the twilight of the dead, so Ceres is flava because grain is golden- 
yellow. The epithet is a common one for Ceres. Cf. Verg., G., 1, 96 ; 
Ovid, Am., in, 10, 3, and F., iv, 424. 

17. ruber custos . . . Priapus : a guardian painted red. Cf. Ovid, F., vi, 
333: ruber hortorum custos, and Priapea, 83, 6-8. Priape. . .ruber ! 
The worship of Priapus, a Greek god of fertility, whose home was origi- 
nally Lampsacus on the Hellespont, was very popular in Rome. He per- 
formed the function of a sort of divine scarecrow ; his image armed 
with a sickle (saeva falce) was placed in gardens. Cf . Swinburne, ' Faus- 
tine ' : the Lampsacene who metes the gardens with his rod. 

18. ut : elegiac poetry is very free in the position of words, particularly 
in the pentameter ; cf. que in ]. 40. 

19. felicis quondam, nunc pauperis : Introd., 21. 

20. Lares : more properly the Lares compitales or gods of the cross- 
roads, not to be confused with the Lar familiaris, the tutelary divinity 
of the house. Cf. 1, 3, 34 ; 1, 7, 58. 

22. agna : the lamb was the poor man's offering. Horace says, con- 
trasting himself with the wealthy Maecenas, nos humilem feriemus 
agnam (C, 11, 17, 32). 



6-52.] TIBULLUS. 127 

23. rustica pubes : for a full description of such a festival, cf. 11, 1, 21 
seq. 

25. vivere parvo : cf. Hor., C, 11, 16, 13 : vivitur parvo bene. 

26. viae : for Tibullus's horror of marches, cf. 1, 3, 85. 

27. canis aestivos ortus : i.e. the dog-days in August. Cf. Hor., C, 
in. 13, 9 : flagrantis atrox hora caniculae. 

28. ad rivos . . . aquae : cf. Hor., C, 1, 1, 21, 22. 

29. tenuisse . . . increpuisse : the Perfect Infinitive is often used in an 
aoristic or timeless sense by the elegiac poets, particularly as the first 
word in the second half of the pentameter, because of its metrical con- 
venience. Sometimes it seems to have an intensive force, so continuisse 
(1. 46) may mean to clasp closely. See Gr. 280, b, n. 2 ; A. & G. 288, d, r. ; 
H. 620, 1. 

31. sinu : in my bosom. 

33. lupi : cf . 11, 5, 88 : a stabulis tunc procul este lupi. Cf . also Tib. 
iv, 1, 187 : furique lupoque. 

36. placidam: used predicatively ; sprinkle (and make her) kindly. 
Palem: goddess of the flocks and their fertility ; called alma (Ovid, F., 
iv, 722, 723) and fecunda (Pseudo-Verg., Culex, 77), and more generally 
rustica dea (Ovid, F., iv, 744) and silvicola (Ovid, F., iv, 746). In her 
honor the festival of the Palilia was celebrated every year on the anni- 
versary of the founding of Rome (April 21). 

37. e paupere mensa: from my frugal board. Cf. Hor., C, 11, 16, 14 : 
mensa tenui. 

39. fictilia pocula : earthenware cups, instead of vessels of gold or silver. 
The faginus scyphus (1, 10, 8), or beechwood beaker, seems to represent a 
still more primitive stage. 

43. requiescere lecto : so Catullus, just returned from Bithynia (xxxi, 
7-10) : quid solutis est beatius curis cum . . . desideratoque acquiescimus 
lecto. * 

44. toro : this word is mainly poetic for the prose word lectus. Here 
the difference need not be emphasized. 

45 seq. Cf . Browning, ' Never the time and the place ' : outside are 
the storms and strangers : ive — oh ! close, safe, ivarm, sleep 1 and she, — 
I and she. 

46. tenero sinu : tenderly on my breast ; the customary poetical substi- 
tution of the adjective for the adverb. Cf. 1, 2, 73 : teneris lacertis, 
tenderly in my arms, where the translation in my tender arms is absurd. 
On continuisse, see Note on 1. 29. 

50. maris : see Note on 1, 3, 50. 

52. neat : with characteristic gentleness, Tibullus dreads the sight of 
tears. Cf. 11, 6, 42 : nori ego sum tanti ploret ut ilia semel. Cf. also 



128 COMMENTARY. [1,1,53-78; 

Prop., in, 20, 4 : tantine ut lacrimes Africa tota fuit f and i, 18, 16 
(with Note). 

53. terra . . . marique : the recurrence of this phrase in Tibullus's proposi- 
tion for his epitaph (i, 3, 56) : Messallam terra dum sequiturque mari, may 
be merely accidental, but possibly he alludes in terra to Messalla's Sici- 
lian campaign in B.C. 36 and in mari to his victory at Actium in B.C. 31. 

54. domus : the victorious general often decorated his house with the 
trophies of his campaigns. Cf. Prop., in, 9, 26 (to Maecenas) : oner are 
tuam fixa per arma domum. praeferat : display. 

55. me retinent, etc. : cf. Propertius's excuse for not going to the East 
with his friend Tullus (Prop., 1, 6, 5) : sed me complexae remorantur verba 
puellae. Observe that the idea of vincla is poetically heightened by 
■vinctum. Cf. 1, 3, 93, 94 ; 1, 7, 13, 14, etc. 

57. laudari : i.e. to gain applause by military exploits. This Infin. is 
common after euro when negatived ; but after a positive euro, some other 
turn is more frequent. 

58. quaeso : parenthetical. 

60. te teneam moriens : cf. Ovid's elegy on the death of Tibullus, Am., 
in, 9, 57, 58, and Note. 

61. flebis. . .me : see Note on 1, 7, 28. 

62. oscula : cf. Prop., n, 13, 29: osculaque in gelidis pones suprema 
labellis. 

63. ferro . . . silex : cf. 1, 10, 59 : ah! lapis est ferrumque suam quicum- 
que puellam verberat. See also Note on Ovid, Am., 1, n, 9. 

66 luaiina . . . sicca referre domum : to return home without having shed 
tears. 

67. ne laede : we with the First Imperative is poetical or colloquial ; see 
G. 270 and r. 2 ; A. & G. 269, n.; B. 281, 2 ; H. 561. 

69 seq. Cf. Prop., 1, 19, 25 : quare, dum licet, inter nos laetemur 
amantes, and Hor., C, 11, 3, 15 : dum res et aetas et sororum fila trium 
patiuntur atra. 

70. Notice the Ace. of Respect : see Note on 1, 7, 6. 

72. capiti : may be Dat. after decet, which is occasional in early Com- 
edy and in late Latin ; but in view of Cat., lxviii, 120, and Tib., 1, 2, 91, 
it is perhaps better to regard it as Abl. For the sentiment, cf. 1, 2, 91, 92. 

73. frangere postes : cf. OvpoKoirrjaai, Aristoph., Vesp., 1254 (cf. F. Leo, 
Plautin. Forsch., p. 140). 

75. dux milesque "bonus : Ovid imitating enlarges (Am., 11, 12, 13) : me 
duce. . .me mi lite veni ipse eques, ipse pedes, signifer ipse fid. 

78. despiciam, etc.: Horace in expressing a similar idea exhibits his 
preference for the concrete and pictorial (C, 11, 10, 6 6°.): tutus caret 
obsoleti I sordibus tecti, caret invidenda I sobrius aula. 



2, 65-79.] TIBULLUS. I29 

I, 2. 

The second poem, of which the last third is given in the text, is a 
soliloquy of the poet as he sits drinking among his comrades. His suit of 
Delia is making no headway and, to add to the bitterness of the situation, 
a more favored rival has proved untrue to Delia's love and has sailed 
away in quest of wealth. * An iron heart had he who placed the wealth 
of gold above the treasures of thy love (65-70). I had not done this, for 
with thee beside me in the wilderness, the wilderness were paradise 
enow (71-74). For what profit is luxury where no love is ? (75-78). Is 
this thy coldness the gods' requital for some sin of mine ? (79-82). All 
penance will I cheerfully perform (83-86). [Suddenly awaking from his 
reverie, he sees an amused smile on the face of one of his friends.] But 
let him who mocks at me take heed lest a like fate befall him, even in 
old age (87-96). But do thou, goddess of love, spare thine own ser- 
vant' (97, 98). 

65. ferreus : see Xote on 1, 10, 2. 

67. Cilicum : noted pirates, whom Pompey had defeated in B.C. 66, 
clearing the sea of them in forty days. 

69. contextus : dig Id. 

70. equo : the Romans set great store by horsemanship. Cf. the ill- 
fated Sybaris (Hor., C, 1, 8, 5). Propertius, in his romance of Tarpeia, 
makes the heroine fall in love with Tatius as he prances by on horse- 
back (cf. Prop., iv, 4, 19). 

71. boves. . . iungere: i.e. for plowing. His boves are contrasted with 
the equo of his rival. This contrast between ox and horse is stock poetry 
and proverb; cf. Hor., Ep., 1, 14, 43: optat ephippia bos pig er, optat arare 
caballus. tecum, etc. : cf. r, 1, 57 : mea Delia tecum dummodo sim. 

73. teneris: see Xote on 1, 1, 46. 

74. et inculta . . . humo : even on the rough ground. 

75-77. Cf. Prop., 1, 14, 15: nam quis divitiis adverso gaudet Amore. 
76. fletu: would normally be cum fletu ; but the one cum, the conjunc- 
tion, has crowded out the other, the preposition. 

78. sonitus placidae . . . aquae : the soothing plash of ivater. 

79. Veneris magnae : Prop., 111, 8, 12 has the same phrase. nu- 
mina : the use of the Plural where good prose would require the Singular 
is characteristic of poetry. Various reasons are assigned. Sometimes the 
Plural collects many parts, as aedes, house, common in prose also ; so 
triumplii, triumph, by reason of the many elements. Sometimes the 
Plural adds dignity, as here ; in that case it is called the Pluralis maies- 
taticus, and in later times is restricted to the pronouns or to designations 
of rulers. 

9 



I30 COMMENTARY. 1,2,80-98; 

80. inpia lingua: cf. iv, 13, 20: hoc peperit misero garrula lingua 
malum. 

81. incestus : cf. 11, 1, 13 (and Note) : casta placent super is. 

83 sei{. This description of an almost mediaeval demonstration of 
penance is, I think, unparalleled in classical Latin literature. In expia- 
tion for the irreverent approach to the altar (incestus sedes adisse, 1. 81) 
and the robbery of wreaths (serta deripuisse, 1. 82) he will now stand out- 
side in the sacred enclosure, and, bowing down and creeping on the 
ground, he will kiss the threshold and beat his unworthy head against 
the door-post. 

87. tu : one of his companions, who is amused at the poet's fervor. 

88. deus : Amor. 

90. vinclis : the formosae vincla puellae of 1, 1, 55. 
92. canas ... comas : cf. Plaut., Merc, 305 : tun capite cano amas, 
senex nequissime I 

96. despuit : as an air or poTrcuov, or charm, against the possible evil influ- 
ence of his presence. Cf. Plin., iV. H., xxviii, 35. 

97. dedita servit, etc. : cf. Propertius's proposition for his epitaph (11, 
13, 35, 36) : qui nunc iacet liorrida pulvis, unius hie quondam servus 
Amoris erat. 

98. quid messes, etc. : cf. Ovid, Am., 1, 2, 49. 



1,3- 

On his way to the East with Messalla (cf. Introcl., 21) Tibullus was 
taken ill at Corcyra. The poem is a soliloquy upon his situation, cast in 
the form of a series of pictures. The sudden changes of scene and mood 
and the rapid succession of persons addressed admirably portray the vaga. 
ries of a sick man's fancy — the horror of being left alone in a strange 
land (1-9) ; Delia's fearfulness at his going (9-14) ; his own unwillingness 
to set out (15-22) ; the possible intervention of Isis (23-34) ; a contrast 
of the Golden age with the present (35-50) ; the consolation of a good 
epitaph (51-56) ; the certain prospect of the ' separate seats of the pious ' 
(57-66) ; and no fear of Tartarus with all its horrors (67-82) ; lastly, the 
hope of recovery and of a return to Delia (83-94). 

1. Ibitis : notice Plural — you (and your companions), Messalla, will 
go, etc. 

2. utinam memores : sc. sitis. The hiatus after is common ; see G. 
720, r. 2 ; H. 733, 2. cohors : the retinue of a praetor, including 
friends as well as officials and servants. 

3. ignotis aegrum : emphatic juxtaposition — sick, in a strange land. 



3,1-31.] T1BULLUS. 131 

Phaeacia : he calls Corcyra (modern Corfu) by its Homeric name. It was 
reputed to have been' the land of Alcinous and the Phaeacians, The very 
romance of the place, which would fascinate him when in good health, 
terrifies him now that he is ill. 

6. legat: the reference is to the ossilegium. After the funeral pyre 
had burned out, the ashes were quenched with water or wine, and the 
nearest relatives of the deceased gathered the bones in a cloth. 

7. odores : after the bones had been thoroughly dried in the open air, 
they were mixed with perfumes {odores) and deposited in the urn. 

9. mitteret : ivhen she bade me farewell. The prose word would be 
dimitteret ; but the use of the simple for the compound is characteristic 
of poetry. 

11. sortes : in her perplexity, Delia, like a true Italian girl, had re- 
course to the street prophets and fortune-tellers. Her confidence was 
restored by a triple trial with a uniformly favorable result. 

13. cuncta dabant reditus : everything portended a safe return. The 
Plural reditus, because there were numerous replies, though all to the 
same purport ; see Note on 1, 2, 79. 

17. sum causatus : alleged as an excuse. Cf. Prop., iv, 4, 23: saepe ilia 
inmeritae causata est omina lunae. 

18. Saturni . . . diem : Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath. Superstitious 
Romans (and Tibullus belonged to this class) of this and later times were 
wont to observe the Sabbath. Cf. Hor., Sat., 1, 9, 69. 

20. offensum in porta . . . pedem : to stumble on the threshold was a bad 
omen. Cf. Ovid, Am., 1, 12, 5. 

23. tua Isis : slightly contemptuous. Tibullus seems to have been 
none too friendly toward her. The worship of the Egyptian Isis was 
very popular at Rome, among the women of the class to which Delia 
belonged. 

24. aera repulsa : the sistra, or rattles, used in the worship of Isis. 

28. tabella : it was customary for those who had been healed to show 
their gratitude and acknowledge their indebtedness to the goddess by 
affixing to the wall of her temple paintings (pictae tabellae), representing 
the plight from which they had been rescued. The same custom obtains 
in Rome to-day; e.g. in the Church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli. As the 
use of the Plural for the Singular is characteristic of poetry (see Note on 
1, 2, 79), so is the reverse. Here one is taken as a type. 

29-32. Cf. Prop., 11, 28, 45, 46. 

30. lino tecta : linen garments were a characteristic part of the para- 
phernalia of Isis-worship. Ovid (Ex P., 1, 1, 51, and Am., 11, 2, 25) 
speaks of linigera Isis. 

31. bisque die: at sun-rise and sun-set. 



132 COMMENTARY. [1,3, 

32. Pharia: i.e. Egyptian, so called from the island of Pharos in the 
harbor of Alexandria. See Note on Prop., 11, 1, 30. 

33. Penates: the guardians of the store-room. 

34. reddere : the regular word for paying a debt that is owed. This 
shows well the spirit of the ancient religious observance. Lari : see 
Note on 1, 1, 20. 

35. Saturno rege : i.e. in 'the Golden age. The Roman 'paradise' was 
in the past ; the description of it was a favorite theme for Roman poetry, 
e.g. Verg., B., iv, 9; Ovid, M., 1, 89. The prototype of all these de- 
scriptions is Hesiod's Work and Days, 1. 109 ff. 

36. longas vias : cf. Tib., 1, 1, 26, and Ovid's imitation, Am., 11, 16, 
15, 16. 

37. contempserat : made light of. Cf. Hor., C, 1, 3, 23 : si tamen im- 
piae, non tangenda rates transiliunt vada. 

44. lapis : the lapis terminalis, or boundary stone, under the special 
protection of the god Terminus. 

45. ipsae : in the Golden age all things were produced of their own 
accord without human labor. Cf. the descriptions of Vergil and Ovid 
mentioned above (Note on 1. 35). 

47. ensem : the prose word is gladius. This is as poetical as glaive, 
falchion, etc., in English. 

48. saevus . . . faber': cf. 1, 10, 1, 2. 

50. mare: the dread of the sea.(cf. Tib., 1, 1, 50) characteristic of the 
ancient world comes out nowhere more strongly than in Rev. xxi. 1 : 
and there was no more sea. Cf. also Hesiod's Works and Days, 236 : (in 
the righteous city) ovd 1 iirl vrjQp vLavovrai ; Aratus, Phaen., 110 (in a 
description of the Golden age): x a ^ €7r V & cl7T€K€lto 6d\a<ra-a; and Prop., ill, 
7, 29-32. nunc leti mille repente viae : in the Golden age men died a 

natural death, ' falling on sleep,' but now semotique prins tarda necessit 'as 
leti corripuit gradum (Hor., C, 1, 3, 32, 33). repente: all at once. 

leti . . . via : the prose form would be via ad mortem ; see G. 360, 1, r. i. 

54. The writing of their own epitaphs was a favorite employment of 
the Roman elegists; cf. Prop., 11, 13, 35 ; Ovid, Tr., in, 3, 73. 

58. Venus : the mother of Amor will serve as his xf/vxoTrofjLiros (con- 
ductor of souls) instead of Mercurius. campos . . . Elysios : originally 
situated in the far west, the Elysian fields were later transported by the 
popular imagination to the lower world, where they form Horace's sedes 
discretas piorum (C, 11, 13, 23). 

59-70. In the descriptions which follow, Elysium and Tartarus are op- 
posed, point for point. The sonant (1. 60) of the birds in Elysium matches 
the sonant (1. 68) of the dark floods about Tartarus ; the band of youth 
ludit (\. 64) while Tisiphone saevil (1 70), Amor proelia miscet (1. 64) 



32-93.] TIBULLUS. 133 

while the impious crowd fugit (1. 70), and the lover geritserta coma (1. 66) 
while Tisiphone is inpexa angues pro crinibus (1. 69). 

61. non culta: spontaneous production characterizes Elysium, as it did 
the Golden age on earth (cf. 1. 45). The sentence affords an example of 
what Postgate calls ' distinctiveness ' ; for the casta is a part of the 
seges. 

65. rapaxmors: Hor., C, 11, 18, 30, rapacis Orci. 

66. myrtea : the myrtle was sacred to Venus ; see Note on 1, 7, 45. 

69. Tisiphone : the avenger of murder, one of the Furies. inpexa : 
used in a middle rather than a passive sense, angues is therefore more 
than a mere Ace. of Respect, and the addition of pro crinibus is pos- 
sible, i.e. Tisiphone combs snakes instead of hair. 

70. turba fugit : the shades are always represented as in motion, flitting 
to and fro, an activity without object, except when Cerberus, like a shep- 
herd dog, chases them. Cf. Prop., iv, 11, 25. 

73-80. Here follows the traditional catalogue of notable criminals and 
their historic punishments : Ixion, bound on the ever-revolving wiieel ; 
Tityos, the living prey of vultures ; Tantalus, forever 'tantalized'; the 
Danaid maidens with their water-jars. We miss only Sisyphus, rolling 
the stone. 

79. Veneris : sinners against love, because they had killed their hus- 
bands. 

81. amores : see Note on iv, 5, 11. 

82. lentas : long drawn out, so that his return might be put off. 
85-88. With these lines cf . Livy's description of Lucretia's employment 

(1, 57), and Terence, Heaut., 285 ff. posita: the prose word would 

be apposita. 

90. caelo missus: see Note on iv, 13, 13. 

92. nudato : in her eagerness she does not wait to put on her sandals. 

93. Luciferum = diem. Cf. Prop., 11, 19,28, and Ovid's Fasti passim. 
Observe the heaping up of the words of color. 

1,5. 

In a fit of harshness Tibullus had quarrelled with Delia, but now 
become gentle again lie asks her forgiveness (I78), reminding her of her 
recovery, which his prayers had effected, and adding with a touch of 
bitterness that he had only restored her for another to love (9-18). Then, 
with gradually increasing passion, lie recalls the dreams for the future 
that he had been fondly cherishing (19, 20), their country life together 
that was to be (21-28), her queenship in the house (29, 30), and Messalla's 
visit (31-34) — but, after all, they were only ' castles in Spain ' (35, 36). 



134 COMMENTARY. [1,5,3-36; 

3. turben : ' top ' — quern pueri magno in gyro vacua atria circum intenti 
ludo exercent (Verg., A., vii, 379). 

4. ab arte : skilfully, i.e. as a result of (sib-diro) practice. 

5. ure et torque : torture me as you ivould a slave with hot iron and 
the rack. 

7. per te . . . foedera . . . quaeso : in such asseverations the pronoun of 
the person addressed is regularly inserted between per and its object. Cf. 
iv, 5, 7: per te dulcissima furta. . .rogo. See G. 413, n. 2; H. 676, 2. 

8. per . . . compositum . . . caput : by our kisses. 

9-18. Notice the emphasis — Me ego (1. 9)... ipse (1. 11)... ipse (1. 
13). . .ipse (1. 15), contrasted with alter (1, 17) and Me (1. 18). 

10. votis eripuisse: sc. morti. The voium was the prayer and also the 
thing pledged on condition that the prayer was granted. 

11. ter : cf. 1. 14 and novem, 1. 16. Three and nine were favorite 
numbers in incantations ; cf. Verg., B., vni, 73 if., and Prop., iv, 6, 6. 

12. praecinuisset : such witches (anus) were called praecantrices ; cf. 
Plaut., Mil., 693. 

16. Triviae : Hecate, the goddess of the cross-roads, special patroness 
of witchcraft. 

20. renuente deo: cf. 1, 3, 22: prohibente deo. 

26. verna : a slave-boy born in his master's house. 

27. deo . . . agricolae : Silvanus. Cf . 1, 1, 14 and Note. 

30. When Martial wrote ussit amatorem Nemesis lasciva Tibullum, 
in tota iuvit quern nihil esse domo (xiv, 193), he was probably thinking of 
this line — if so, he has confounded Nemesis and Delia. 

33. virum hunc : notice the hiatus, permissible in the principal caesura; 
cf. Verg., A., 1, 16, Samo : hie, and see G. 720, r. i; A. & G. 359, e; 
H.. 733, 2. 

35. Eurusque Notusque: on the action of the winds in destroying the 
efficacy of prayers and vows, see Note on Prop., 1, 8, 12. 

36. odoratos : Armenia was the land of spices. 

I, 7- 

On September 25, B.C. 27, Messalla celebrated a triumph for the 
victory over the Aquitanians, which he had gained in the battle of Atax 
in the preceding year. A few days later, on his birthday, he received 
this poem from Tibullus. The elegy opens with a reference to the 
battle (1-4) and a brief description of the triumph (5-8), followed by a 
sketch of Messalla' s victories and travels (9-22). After a rather long 
digression treating of Egypt (23-48), the poet returns abruptly to Mes- 
salla and his birthday (49-56). Thanking him for his improvements to 



7, 1-23.] TIBULLUS. 1 35 

the Via Latina (57-62), he closes by wishing him many happy returns 
of the day (63, 64). 

1. cecinere . . . Parcae . . . nentes : the Fates were conceived of as chant- 
ing while they spun the thread of destiny (fatalia stamina). Cf. iv, 5, 
3, and especially Cat., lxiv, 305 ff. 

2. dissoluenda : the consonant reasserts its vowel nature by dialysis; 
cf. 1. 40 and see G. 724. 

3. hunc : sc. diem, the day of the battle. 

4. Atax : the modern Aude a river of Gallia ISTarbonensis flowing into 
the Mediterranean. The struggle with the Aquitanians had extended 
beyond the limits of their own territory. This is simpler than (with 
Scaliger) to change Atax into Atur, a conjectured parallel form to Aturus 
(modern Adour), a river of Aquitania flowing into the Bay of Biscay. 

6. evinctos bracchia : cf. Hor., C, 111, 5, 21, vidi ego civium retorta 
tergo oracclda libero. For the Ace. of Respect, see G. 338, 1 ; A. & G. 
250, c; B. 180 ; H. 416. 

9. non sine me : Tibullus was with Messalla on the Aquitanian cam- 
paign. Tarbella Pyrene : the Tarbelli lived in the southwestern part 
of Aquitania, along the Bay of Biscay, just north of the Pyrenees, The 
first syllable of Pyrene is here scanned short, metri gratia. 

10. Santonici : the Santones were a tribe north of the river Garonne. 

11. 12. The rivers are cited as witnesses, partly because they were so 
readily personified, partly because they were the geographical features 
best known to the average Roman. The Avar is the Saone ; the Rho- 
danus, the Rhone; the Garumna, the Garonne; the Liger, the Loire,' 
Carnuti : Collective Genitive Singular. The Carnutes, or Carnuti, were a 
tribe living on the river Loire. 

13. Cydne : a sluggish shallow stream in Cilicia. Observe the accu- 
mulation of epithets : tacitis tmdis, leniter, placidis aquis. Cf. 1, 3, 
93, 94. The general reference is to Messalla's eastern expedition, which 
preceded the Gallic victory. 

18. columba: sacred to the Phoenician Astarte, identified with Aphro- 
dite. 

19. turribus . . . Tyros : Tyre with its many-storied houses ; cf . Strabo, 
XVI, 2, 23 : ePTdvda 8e (pacrt iroKvariyovi ras ot/aas, &<rre kcll tuv ev 'Pu^y 
fxaWop. 

20. prima ratem ventis credere : Tibullus's dread of the sea (cf . 1, 3, 50) 
would have made these hardy Phoenician sailors great heroes in his eyes. 
The Infin. after docta is poetical and post-Augustan. 

23-40. This digression, treating of Egypt and Osiris, has been attrib- 
uted to the growing importance of Egypt and the interest which Egyp- 



I36 COMMENTARY. [I, 7, 

tian things would naturally arouse in Roman minds, but it would seem 
more reasonable to explain it as a reference to some exploits of Messalla 
of which we have no knowledge. It is possible that he may have been 
initiated into some of the mysteries of Osiris (cf. 1. 48). 

23. Nile pater : the title pater was applied to beneficent deities, such as 
Juppiter, Bacchus, and also the river Tiber. The blessings which the 
Nile confers on Egypt give it a place in this category. 

24. quibus in terris : the source of the Nile was a problem, even in 
Roman times ; cf. Hor., C, iv, 14, 45 : fontium qui celat origines Nil us. 
It remained for Stanley to answer Tibullus's question. 

26. pluvio . . . lovi : the god of showers (cf Zevs vertos). CTL. ix, 324: 
Iovi Pluvia[li]. 

27. Osirim : the chief divinity of the Egyptians, often identified, as 
here, with Bacchus. With this description of Osiris (11. 29-37) cf. what 
is said of Bacchus (11, 1, 37-60). 

28. Memphitem . . . hovem : the bull worshipped at Memphis under the 
name of Apis and supposed to be the incarnation of Osiris. plangere : 
to mourn over the death of a sacred bull, which was said to occur every 
twenty-five years. Verbs of Emotion are, properly speaking, not tran- 
sitive, and should accordingly not be followed by the Accusative. The 
poets, however, violate this rule frequently. The use of a verb like 
plangere, which is only the outward expression of the emotion, is bold 
and very rare. See G. 330 and n. 2 ; A. & G. 237, b ; B. 175, 2, b; H. 
405, 1. 

33, 34. These lines describe the two chief phases of vine-culture, the 
alligatio, or vine-training, and the amputatio, or vine-trimming. 

36. incultis : untrained. The transfer in meaning is the same in both 
English and Latin. 

39. Bacchus : used, by metonymy, for the wine which Osiris is said to 
have invented. That these praises of wine were not altogether without 
point in the case of Messalla is proven by Horace's ode to him (C, in, 21, 
7). Cor vino (i.e. Messalla) iubente promere languidiora vina. Servins's 
note to Yergil, A., vni, 310, preserves a quotation from Messalla which 
is worth comparing with these lines : idem humor (vinurn) ministrat 
faciles oculos, pulchriora reddit omnia, et dulcis iuventae reducit bona. 

40. tristitiae : Genitive of Separation. Cf. G. 383, 2 ; A. & G. 223, b, 
3 ; B. 212, 3 ; H. 458, 4. 

42. crura . . . sonent : cf . 11, 6, 26, crura sonant ferro. 

45. corymbis : the ivy was sacred to Bacchus (here to Osiris), just as 
the myrtle to Venus and the laurel to Apollo. 

46. lutea : saffron-colored ; not to be confounded with lutea ! 

48. levis occultis conscia cista sacris : the chest guarding the secret of ike 



23-63; io, 1.] TIBULLUS. 1 37 

hidden rites; i.e. the mysteries of Osiris. Possibly the chest was made 
of wicker-work, hence levis. 

49. hue ades : cf. iv, "4, 1. On the Genius, cf. 11, 2, 5. 

51, 52. Cf. 11, 2, 6, 7. 

53. hodierne : the subject of a verb being in the Xom. case, no predi- 
cate could be in another case. The use of the predicate Vocative is very 
bold and rare, and to be explained probably as due to direct address : 
thou hero of this day / See G. 325, r. i, and Xote on Prop., 1, 7, 24. 

54. Mopsopio . . . melle : honey from Attica (Mopsopus was a mythical 
ruler of Attica), probably from Hymettus, a mountain near Athens, 
noted for irs honey. 

55. proles: Messalla had two sons, Marcus and Lucius. Tib., 11, 5, is 
written with reference to Marcus, the elder of the two. 

57. monumenta viae : Messalla had repaired the Via Latina, which, 
running from Rome in a generally southeastern direction and keeping 
north of the Via Appia, passes between Tusculum and Alba, and joins 
the Appian way at Beneventum. 

58. antiquo . . . Lari : cf. 1, 1, 20. 

59. glarea . . . silex : the flint or lava paving blocks (silex) were laid upon 
a foundation of crashed stone and gravel (glared). 

62. inoffensum rettuleritque pedem : cf. 1, 3, 20: offensum . . .pedem, 
tripping over the door-sill. 

63. natalis : cf. iv, 5, 19. 

I, 10. 

Since neither Messalla nor Delia is mentioned in this elegy, it is proba- 
bly to be reckoned among the earliest of Tibullus's poems. Its place at 
the end of the book is then to be accounted for by the fact that the 
absence of these names made it desirable to put the poem in a less 
prominent place. 

A summons to war, which he is obliged to obey, arouses the following 
soliloquy. ' Cursed be the inventor of the sword and cursed may we be for 
using it amiss (1-12). Xow I, -too, must wage war. Protect me, Lares, as 
in the days of old (13-28). What madness it is to court death in war ! 
(29-38). Far better peace and old age (39-44). Blessed peace ! What 
the world owes to her ! (45-50). But in love also let peace rule ' (51-68). 

1. Quis: the Greeks and Romans regarded every step in civilization, 
every innovation, as the invention of some individual, divine or human, 
whose name in many cases was handed down by tradition. Hence the 
great number of inventions ascribed to the gods and heroes. Cf. Prop. 
1, 17, 13 ; 11, 6, 31 ; 11, 12, 1 ; Hor., 6\, 1, 3, 9. 



I38 COMMENTARY. [I, 10, 2-68 ; 

2. ferreus : a favorite word with Tibullus. Cf. i, 2, 65 ; 11, 3, 2, 35. 
It is especially appropriate here ; the inventor's heart is a piece of the 
same metal he made his sword from. The play on ferus is probably 
unintentional. 

4. brevior: cf. 1, 3, 50, and Prop, in, 7, 2 : inmaturum mortis iter. 
See Note on 1, 3, 50. 

7. divitis auri : the gold, which makes rich, is called rich. See Note 
on 11, 6, 1.9. 

10. dux gregis: here the shepherd, more often the ram ; so Ovid, 31., 
vii, 311. 

11. foret : a case of the extremely rare use of the Impf. Subjv. of the 
Unreal Wish of the Past ; see G. 261, n. 2. 

13. trahor : the termination recovers its original length in the princi- 
pal caesura. 

15. patrii Lares : the Lar and the Penates are included together under 
the term Lares. See Note on 1, 1, 20. 

16. cursarem : the frequentative well expresses a small boy's restless 
activity. 

23. voti . . . compos : having obtained ivhat lie prayed for (and being 
thus obliged to pay what he had agreed). See Note on 1, 5, 10. 

26. hostia : sc. sit. Between 11. 25 and 26 there is a lacuna of uncer- 
tain length. 

27. pura cum veste : cf . 11, 1, 13. 

32. pingere castra mero : a typical Italian story, told with gestures and 
diagrams. Ovid expands this line into six (Her., 1, 31 ff.) Cf. also 
Goldsmith's old soldier, who ' shouldered his crutch and showed how 
fields were won" (Deserted Village). 

35. non seges est infra: i.e. in Tartarus, for in the Elysian fields fert 
casiam non culta seges (1, 3, 61). non vinea culta : Horace (C, 1, 4, 
18) says of the ' domus exilis Plutonia,' nee regna vini sortiere talis. 

36. navita turpis: Charon, the saielles Orci (Hor., C, 11, 18, 34). 

37. ustoque capillo : i.e. from the funeral pyre. See Note on 11, 6, 40. 

38. errat : see Note on 1, 3, 70. pallida: bloodless. The shades were 
so conceived, hence the offerings of blood poured out for them. Cf. 
Hor., C, 1, 24, 15 : num vanae redeat sanguis imagini. 

41. ipse : not too proud to do his own farm-work, Tibullus's own ideal; 
cf. 1, 1, 29. 

44. temporis . . . prisca: cf. Hor., A. P., 173: senex. . .laudator temporis 
acti. 

51, 52. The lines which have been lost evidently described the happy 
festivals of Peace. These two lines, all that are left, describe a peasant, 
driving his family home from some celebration. 



II, i, 1-5.] TIBULLUS. 139 

51. luco : the sacred grove, about the temple, where the celebration 
was held. With the poem from this point on, cf. Prop., 11, 5, 21-26. 
male sobrius : none too sober. Cf. 11, 5, 87 : acmadidus Baccho sua f est a 
Palilia pastor concinet. Male when added to unfavorable terms height- 
ens, when added to favorable ones detracts, and hence has almost a nega- 
tive sense. 

60. verberat : cf. Tib., 1, 6, 73, 74 : non ego te pulsare velim, sed vene- 
rit iste si furor, optarim non liabuisse manus. e caelo deripit ille 

deos : like the giants. Ovid says of himself, after he had laid violent 
hands on one whom he loved — tunc ego vet caros potui violare parentes 
saeva vel in sanctos verbera ferre deos {Am., 1, 7, 5 ff.). 

67. veni, teneto : no distinction seems possible here between the two 
forms of the Imperative, except that teneto is subsequent to veni : come 
and then, etc. 

68, sinus : the loose, hanging fold of the toga. 

II, 1. 

Taking for his text the old Roman festival of the Ambarvalia (1-30), 
Tibullus combines a compliment to Messalla (31-36) with a eulogy of 
the country (37-68) and of Love (69-90). 

Thus the opening poem of Bk. 11, like that of Bk. 1, presents the four 
main themes of all Tibullus's poetry — Love, the country, Messalla, and 
Rome. 

The Ambarvalia {ambi-arvum), occurring annually in the month of 
April, was the festival of the reconsecration of the land. The solemn of- 
fering, generally a suovetaurilia — i.e. a sacrifice of a swine, a sheep, and 
a bull — was followed, as here described, by boisterous revelling and feast- 
ing. For a beautiful account of the ceremonies, cf. Walter Pater's 
Marius the Epicurean, Vol. 1, chap. 1. 

1. faveat: so,, lingua. Cf. Hor., C, in, 1, 2: favete Unguis, and Paulus, 
p. 88 (M.): faventia bonam ominationem significat, nam praecones cla- 
mant espopulum sacrijiciis f aver e iubebant. favere enim est bona far i, at 
veteres poetae pro silere usi sunt favere. Silence and the use of only pro- 
pitious words were prime essentials of a successful religious ceremony. 

3, 4. Bacche . . . Ceres : the god of the vine and the goddess of the crops. 
Tibullus is especially fond of describing the deity he invokes — cf. 1, 7, 
51 ; 11, 2, 5 ; 11, 5, 5 ; iv, 6, 13. 

5-10. Observe the order — the farm, the farmer, the oxen, and the farm- 
er's wife. Cf. Hor., C, 11, 14, 21 : linquenda tellus et domus et placens 
I uxor. 



I4O COMMENTARY. [II, 1, 

6. suspenso vomere : the Roman plow, being a small, light affair, was 
generally hung up when not in use. 

9. operata : in the technical religious sense of paying homage to the 
gods. Cf. Prop., 11, 28, 45 and Note. This is an aoristic use of the* par- 
ticiple; see Gr. 282, n. non : to be construed closely with ulla ; else 
ne would be necessary. 

11. procul : cf. e/ccts and Verg., A., vi, 258; procul, procul, este, pro- 
fani ! 

13. casta : cleanliness was not next to godliness among the Romans, 
but an essential part of it. Cf. Cic, de Leg., 11, 10, 24: caste iubet lex 
adire ad deos. 

14. fontis aquam : spring water. According to the Roman notion, only 
fresh running water was able to purify. Puris is proleptic. 

15. eat: goes voluntarily. It was a good omen when the victim ap- 
proached the altar of its own accord. As a matter of fact, it was led by 
a loose rope. 

17. purgamus agros, purgamus agrestes : sonorous repetition was char- 
acteristic of Roman prayers from the earliest times. Cato (de Agr., cxli) 
gives us one of the prayers actually used in the ceremony of the Am- 
barvalia. 

20. celeres tardior agna lupos : observe the order of the words. It is 
scarcely an accident that the last four words of 11. 21, 22, and 23 are 
similarly arranged. 

22-24. A bonfire (ardens focus) and thatched booths (casae ex virgis) 
were staple features of the old Italian country merry-makings. Cf. Tib., 
11, 5, 89, 97. 

25. viden ut : this formula is more often followed by the Indie. Ob- 
serve that videsne shortens to viden, following the rule for early Latin ; 
see Gr. 454, n. i. 

27. fumosos . . . Falernos : sc. cados. The wine, after being drawn from 
the large dolia into the cadi, was kept in a place which was exposed to the 
smoke of the tire, in order to accelerate fermentation. 

28. Ohio : sweet Chian wine was often drunk mixed with Falernian, 
which was somewhat acid. 

29. festa luce : on a holiday. Cf. 1. 5, luce sacra, on a holy-day — to 
the Romans the two were identical. Notice the inversion in the expres- 
sion ; prose would require vino dies celebretur. 

31. bene Messallam: sc. valere iubeo, the usual formula in drinking a 
health. 

33. celeber Messalla triumphis : on Messalla's triumph, cf. 1, 7 and Note. 
Notice the poetic plural in both places. 

31. intonsis : the custom of shaving was introduced into Rome from 



6-76.] TIBULLUS. 141 

Sicily about B.C. 300. Cf. Varro, R. R., 11, 11, 10 : omnino tonsores in 
Italia in primum venisse ex Sicilia dicuntur p.R.c.a. CCCCLIIL 

37-68. The sixteen couplets which follow enumerate the gifts of the 
gods of the country. The first seven relate to the means of sustenance — 
(1) improvements in food (2) and houses, (3) the invention of plowing 
and of wagons, (4) the care of the garden, (5) the vineyards, (6) the fields, 
and (7) the keeping of bees ; the last nine to the arts and amenities of 
life and the progress of civilization — (8) poetry, (9) music, (10) dan- 
cing, (11) the drama, (12) sacrifices to the gods, (13) wool, (14) spinning, 
(15) weaving, (16) love. 

38. querna glande : cf . 11, 3, 69 : glans aluit veteres. 

42. plaustro : the rough farm- wagon. Cf . 1, 10, 52, where the rusii- 
cus is bringing his family home in one. 

44. inriguas : with an active meaning, irrigating. 

46. sobria lympha : water whose use weakens the wine is itself sober. 
For the transference of the epithet, cf. Cat., xxvii, 4, where the grape is 
called drunken (ebrioso acino). 

47.. sideris : the sun. 

49. flores : honey. The same meaning is found in Verg., G., iv, 39. 
alveo : this synizesis seems to be confined to the close of the line. Vergil 
shows four cases of it. 

52. cantavit . . . rustica verba : sang the songs of the countrv. Cf. 11, 

3,4. 

55. minio suffusus : daubed with rouge. The primitive mimus used no 
masks, but simply." blackened up." 

57, 58. A difficult passage — it seems to describe the prize which the 
farmer received for his acting, and contains possibly an allusion to one 
explanation of rpaycpdia ('goat-song': dux gregis — hircus). To him 
was given from the full sheep-cote a notable gift, the leader of the flock, 
and the ram increased his slender means. 

64. adposito pollice : the thumb of the right hand was employed to reg- 
ulate the thickness of the thread. 

65. adsiduae Minervae : cf. Hor., C, in, 12, 5: operosae. . .Minervae. 

66. adplauso tela sonat latere : in the old-fashioned vertical hand-loom 
the threads of the web were kept taut by hanging weights (later es) to 
them. As the threads of the woof were drawn through, these weights 
would naturally strike against each other. 

68. Cf. Pervigilium Veneris, 1. 77: ipse Amor puer Dionae rure natus 
dicitur. 

69. indocto . . . arcu: as if the bow, and not Cupid, learned how to shoot 
by practice. 

76. iacentes : sleeping. Cf. iv, 6, 11. 



142 COMMENTARY. [11,1,79-90; 

79. miseri, etc. : cf. Eur., Hipp,, 443 : Kitayxs yap ov (popTjrbs, y\v ttoWtj 
pvy- 

81. pone sagittas : cf. 11, 5, 106, modo in terris erret inermis Amor. 

83. celebrem : see Note on iv, 4, 23. 

88. sidera : the stars are called the daughters of Night. Cf. Abel, Or- 
pkica, p. 61, Hymn VII, 1. 3 : aarepes ovpavioi vvktos 0i\a reuva ixeXaivrjs. 

90. incerto . . . pede : the Somnia are pictured as themselves half- 
asleep, and so stumbling. Others refer the term to the baseless, uncer- 
tain movements in dreams. 

II, 2. 

A birthday poem for Cornutus, who has recently been married. On 
the possible identity of Cornutus with the Cerinthus of iv, 3, etc., see 
Introd., 43. 

' May your Genius, Cornutus, grant your wishes on your birthday 
(1-10). You will not ask for riches, but that your wife may be faithful 
and loving (11-16). Your prayers will be granted, and may Amor him- 
self cement your union and give you offspring' (17-22). 

I, 2. The usual prayer for 'sacred silence.' Cf. 11, 1, 1 and Note. 

3. tura : the sacrifice to the Genius consisted of incense, cake, and pure 
wine. Cf. it, 5, 9. The Iuno, which for women corresponded to the 
Genius for men, received similar offerings. Cf. iv, 6, 1 and 14, and 
Prop., in, 10, 19. 

4. tener Arabs : the inhabitants of a country which was known to the 
average Roman only as the producer of the luxuries of life were as- 
sumed to be themselves luxurious and effeminate. Catullus (xi, 5) calls 
them molles. 

5. Genius : the ideal counterpart of the individual, born with him, pro- 
tecting him during his life, and dying with him. Cf. Hor., Ep., 11, 2, 
187 seq. : Genius, natale comes qui temper at astrum, \ naturae deus 
humanae, mortalisin unum \ quodque caput. 

6. 7. Cf. 1, 7, 51, 52. 

9. adnuat : cf. iv, 5, 19: Natalis. . .adnue ! et : also. 

II, 12. auguror . . . reor : observe that the former is used paratactically, 
auguror. . .opiabis, while the latter is used hypotactically, reor edidicisse. 

14. rusticus, arva bove : notice the accumulation of substantives at the 
end of the couplet, which is otherwise interesting as showing two cases 
of a characteristic order in the pentameter : i.e. when the adjective arid 
substantive respectively begin and close the two parts. The commonest 
order is w T hen the adjective and substantive begin the first half and close 
the second, or close the first half and begin the second. 



2, 1-20; 3, 1-13.] TIBULLUS. 1 43 

15. gemmarum : pearls are especially meant. 

16. maris unda rubet : on mare rubrum, see Note on Prop., i, 14, 12. 

17. vota cadunt : the phrase is here equivalent to eveniunt (cf. 11, 1, 25), 
your prayers are being heard. Cf., however, the use of the phrase in 
Prop., 1, 17, 4. alis : cf. 11, 5, 39: volitantis ... Amoris and Prop., 
11, 12, 5. 

18. flava: the color is itself symbolic of love and passion. Cf. the 
flammeum, or bridal veil, and Ovid, M., x, 11, croceo velatus amictu... 
Hymenaeus. 

20. inficiat : bleach. The word signifies to dye, or change the natural 
color by dipping into anything. Cf. Tibullus's own wish for Delia and 
himself : nos, Delia, amoris \ exemplum cana simus uterque coma (1, 6, 
85, 86). 

II, 3. 

'Nemesis has gone to the country, Cornutus ; I wish I were with her 
there (1-10). In a similar plight, Apollo once became herdsman (11-32). 
But this iron age of ours seeks gain, not love (33-46). Let Nemesis have 
gifts, then, from me to her heart's content (47-58). But bad luck to him 
who took her away! (59-66). The old days were better than now (67-78). 
But I must be off to the country at any cost ' (78-80). 

1. Eura . . . tenent . . . puellam : the first line tells the whole story. See 
Note on 1, 1, 1. 

4. verbaque aratoris rustica : the plowman's ditties. Cf. 11, 1, 52: 
rustica verba. 

5. ego : see Note on 1, 3, 2. adspicerem . . . versarem: the Impf. 
Subjv. in an Unreal Wish of the Present, as in an Unreal Condition of the 
Present, has as a rule the sequence of a Historical tense. Occasionally 
it is treated as a Primary tense, as in Tib., 11, 4, 7: ego ne possim 
tales sent ire dolores, \ quam mallem ingelidis mortibus esse lapis. See Gr. 
517, r. 2 ; A, & G. 287, g; B. 268, 5; IT. 547. 

6. valido pingue bidente solum : Interlocked order. For the sentiment, 
cf. 1, 1, 29, 30. 

10. Admeti : Apollo was sentenced by Zeus to tend the flocks of Ad_ 
metus at Pherae as a punishment for putting the Cyclops to death. The 
Alexandrian poets (cf. Callim., Hym,, 11, 49) made Apollo's love for Ad- 
metus the cause of his service. Tibullus follows this latter version. 

12. cithara, . . . comae : *ee Note on iv, 4, 2. Notice the position of -ve; 
it belongs really with comae. Cf. Note on 1, 1, 18. 

13. sanare : a case of 'Physician, heal thyself,' as Apollo was god of 
healing. On the incurableness of love, cf. Prop., 11, 1, 57. 



144 COMMENTARY. [II, 3, 14a-80 ; 

14a, b, c. The text is much broken but the sense is clear. 14a de- 
scribes Apollo's activity as a cow-herd, 145 and c his work in the dairy 
making cheese. 

15. fiscella : the cheese-form or mould, a basket-like arrangement, 
woven together with meshes (nexus) for the whey (serum) to pass through. 

18. soror : Diana. 

19. caneret dum: see Note on 1, 1, 18. 

22. a templis : i.e. at Delphi. inrita : i.e. without response. 

24. noverca : since Apollo was the child of Juppiter and Latona, Juno 
might be euphemistically called his stepmother, as here. 

25. quisquis . . . adspiceret : on the use of the Subjv. after an indefinite 
pronoun, see G. 567, and especially the Note, also 258 and the ex- 
ample from Livy ; A. & G. 316, a, 2 ; H. 602, 3. 

27. Pytho : the old name for Delphi. 
29. Amor in parva . . . casa : ' Love in a cottage.' 
31. cura: here, as often in elegiac poetry, in the sense of love. 
35. praedam : the theme of the next eight lines. Notice the repetition 
of the word. 

38. mors propior : see Note on 1, 3, 50. 

39. vago : in the sense of unrestrained; cf. Tib., 11, 6, 3: vaga... 
aequora. pericula ponto : on the dread of the sea, see Note on 1, 3, 50. 

42. ove : for the Singular, see Note on 1, 3, 28. 

43. lapis externus : imported marble. tumultu : the shaking of the 
houses caused by carrying blocks of stone through the city streets was 
one of the chief annoyances of life in Rome at this period. Cf. Plin., 
Panegyr., 51 : itaque non, ut ante, inmanium transvectione saxorum 
urbis tecta quatiuntur. 

44. mille : with iugis. 

47. Samiae . . . testae : a cheap, brittle earthenware originally made in 
Samos, but the term soon became generic. The pottery of Cumae, men- 
tioned in the next line, was also very ordinary. It is sometimes called 
Campanian ware. Cf. Hor., S., 1, 6, 118. 

52. incedit : a carefully chosen word, indicating a stately, leisurely 
gait. Cf. Verg., A., 1, 4(3 : ego, quae dlvom incedo regina, etc. 

53. vestes . . . quas feminaCoa texuit : the infamous Coan garments, made 
of a thin gauze manufactured on the island of Cos. Cf. Pers., v, 135 : 
lubrica Co a. 

54. auratas disposuitque vias : wove (into them) stripes of golden 
thread (lit. set them at regular intervals). 

60. catasta : KardaraaLs, the scaffold on which slaves were exposed for 
sale. Cf. Pers., vr, 77. The chalking of the feet (gypsatos ... pedes) 
distinguished the forci^n-born slave from the verna, or slave born in a 



5, 1.] TIBULLUS. 145 

Roman house (cf. Becker's Gallus, 11, 127). The rival was a slave, 
and a foreigner. 

62. persolvat . . . nulla fide : cf. 11, 1, 19, where the opposite prayer is 
made. 

63. consitor uvae : similar allusions to Bacchus are common, especially 
in Ovid (cf. F., in, 785: uvae commentor ; M., iv, 14: consitor uvae; 
Am., 1, 3, 11, and F., 11, 329: vitis repertor). 

64. devotos . . . lacus : cursed wine-vats. 
72. gaudia : see Note on TV, 7, 5. 

74. nulla . . . ianua : in the Golden age, non domus ulla fores habuit 
(1, 3, 43). 

76. horrida villosa corpora veste : observe the Interlocked order and 
cf. 1. 6. 

77. mea : sc. puella. copia : opportunity. 

79. ad imperium : like ad arbitrium, auctoritatem ; the more usual form 
would be sub imperio, to carry out the image of ducite. 

80. vinclis verberibusque : the lot of a country slave was a hard one ; 
he was often compelled to wear fetters while at work, and was ill used 
generally. 

n, 5 . 

A poem occasioned by the admission of Messalla's son, Marcus Valerius 
Messalinus (consul b.c. 3 ; see also Note on 1. 115), to the college of 
priests who had charge % oi the Sibylline books (quindecemviri sacris 
faciundis). These books were kept at this time iti the new temple of 
Apollo on the Palatine, and were under Apollo's care. The poem treats 
necessarily of Messalinus, the Sibyl, and Apollo. Tibullus introduces, 
in addition, characteristic descriptions of the country and a reference to 
Nemesis. These five themes are intertwined with apparent carelessness, 
and the difficulty of the poem lies in the suddenness of the transitions 
from one to another of them. 

Apollo is bidden to initiate Messalinus into the mysteries of the Sibyl- 
line books (1-18). Great is the power of the Sibyl. Her prophecy (given 
when Rome was only a country landscape — 19-38) came true (39-66). 
This was favorable ; but other sibyls had prophesied disaster, and 
the dreaded fulfilment came (67-78). But now may Apollo grant that 
peace may be the order of the future (79-104) and that love may rule 
gently (105-112), so that the poet may live long enough to sing the com- 
ing greatness of Messalinus (113-122). 

I. novus . . . sacerdos : Messalinus. tua templa : the new temple on 

the Palatine erected by Augustus in return for Apollo's help at Actium. 
Observe another case of poetic Plural. 



I46 COMMENTARY. [II, 5, 

2-8. Apollo's appearance is fully described (see Xote on 11, 1, 3). The 
description is an accurate portrayal of the famous statue of the Palatine 
Apollo, the Apollo Githaroedus of Scopas, of which the so-called Apollo 
Musagetes of the Vatican is an indirect copy. - 

3. vocales: Predicative. inpellere: the Infin. after precor is bold. 

5. triumph ali : for the victory at Actium. Ovid, A. A., in, 389, calls 
Apollo lauriger. tempora : the Ace. of Kespect. 

7. pulcher : cf. "Verg., A., 111, 119: pulcher Apollo/ and Servius's 
note : apud Lucilium Apollo * pulcher* dici non vult. vestem : 
the palla. 

8. sepositam: i.e. the festal robe, which was carefully laid away when 
not in use. longas . . . comas : see Note on Ovid, Am., 1, 1, 11. 

9. memorant : the regular word for epic recital. Cf. Prop., 11, 1, 25: 
bellaque resque tui memorarem Caesaris, and Prop., in, 11, 09 : memora- 
bit Apollo. 

11-15. AJ1 the means of learning the secrets of the future are under 
Apollo's control — the augur's observation of the flight of birds, the lot 
(sortes), the consultation of the exta, and lastly the Sibylline books. 

11. eventura: cf. 11, 1, 25. tibi deditus augur: in Hor., C, 1, 2, 

32, Apollo is himself called augur. 

13. haruspex : the haruspicina, or science of divining the future from 
the inspection of the entrails of victims, was an Etruscan discipline. 

15. Sibylla : sc. Cumana, the Sibyl par excellence. 

16. senis . . . pedibus : the prophecies were written in Greek hexameters. 
For the phrase, cf. Hor., S., 1, 10, 59. 

17. sacrae . . . chartae : the Sibylline books. 

19. sortes : her prophecy is related by Verg., A., vi, 77 if. 

20. raptos . . .Lares : cf. Verg., A., 1, 378, sum plus Aeneas raptos qui 
ex Jtoste Penates \ classe veJio mecum, and Ovid, M. y xv, 450 : Penatigero 
Aeneae. Tibullus used Lares = Lar et Penates (see Note on 1, 10, 15). 
dicitur : a case of careless usage for sustinuit, ut dicitur. Or, more 
naturally, we should have dicitur dedisse . . . postquam sustinuisset. Such 
lapses are occasional also in prose ; see G. 630, n. 3. 

22. Ilion : ardentem is crowded out by ar denies. que : observe its 
position ; it belongs properly with deos. 

23. aeternae . . . urbis : the earliest reference to Rome as the ' eternal 
city.' The cult of Roma aeterna was established under Hadrian. 

24. Remo: cf. Liv., 1, 7. 

25 ff. Similar descriptions of the T °te of Rome before the settlement 
of the city are found in Verg., A., vin, 357 fi°. ; Prop., iv, 1, 1 if. ; Ovid, 
F., 1, 519 ff. Palatia : the very place where Apollo's temple now 

stood. Cf. Prop., in, 9, 49 : celsaque Romanis decerpta Palatia tauris, 



2-53.] TIBULLUS. 1 47 

and Prop., iv, 1, 3: atque ubi navali stant sacra Palatia Plioebo, \ Evandri 
profugae concubuere bores. 

27. Pan : a statue of the god dripping with the offerings of milk. 

28. Pales : see Note on 1, 1, 36. Propertius lets the Yertumnus-statue 
say of himself: stipes acernus eram properanti falce dolatus (iv, 2, 59). 

30. silvestri . . . deo : Silvanus. 

33. Velabri : the low ground lying between the Palatine, the Capitoline, 
and the Aventine, extending from the Yicus Tuscus to the Forum 
Boarium. 

36. iuvenem : the magistro of the preceding line. 

37. munera ruris : cf. Hor., C, 1, 17, 16: ruris honorum. 

38. agnus : cf. Prop., 11, 34, 70 (also of a lover's present) : missus et 
inpressis haedus ab uberibus. 

39. volitantis frater Amoris : Aeneas and Amor were both sons of Yenus. 
Amor is called aliger (Yerg., A., 1, 663) ; cf. Hor., C, in, 12, 4: Cy- 
thereae puer ales; Lucr., v, 1075: pinnigeri Amoris; and Tib., n, 
2, 17. 

41. Laurentes : Aeneas landed at Laurentum; cf. Liv., 1, 1, 7. 

43. Numici : a small stream south of Lavinium. 

44. caelo: see G. 358 and x. 1. indigetem : the term di indigetes 
was used to distinguish the native Roman deities from the di novensides, 
or gods introduced from other peoples. The people of Lavinium origi- 
nally worshipped Juppiter under this title (cf. Liv., 1, 2, 6, and Plin., 
N. IT"., in, 56,) but later Aeneas, being identified with this Juppiter, 
obtained the name indiges, Cf. Ovid, M., xiv, 608 ; Servius — on Yerg., 
A., 1, 259; Solin., 2, 15. 

45. fessas ... puppes: cf. Prop., in, 21, 19 : fessa. . .vela, and Ovid, 
B. A., 811: fessae. . .carinae. 

47. incendia : this may refer to the burning of the Roman ships by 
Turnus, king of the Rutuli (Yerg., A., ix, 70), but owing to the presence 
of the Butulis. . .castris, it seems less awkward to consider it as a refer- 
ence to the burning of the camp of the Rutuli by the Trojans, an event 
of which, to be sure, we hear nothing elsewhere. 

48. Turne : his death at the hands of Aeneas is the crowning event of 
the Aeneid (in, 918 ff .). . 

49. 50. Aeneas settled first at Laurentum and then at Lavinium. After 
his death, Alba Longa was founded by Ascanius. 

51 ff. In the following scene Tibullus seems to be describing some 
well-known painting. 

52. Ilia : or Rhea Silvia, daughter of Numitor, and mother of Romulus 
and Remus. 

53. furtim : has the eif ect of an adjective, furtivos. Cf . semper . . . sem- 



I48 COMMENTARY. [II 5, 

piterna in Prop., 1, 22, 2. vittas : part of her insignia as a Vestal 

Virgin, the parallel picture to the arma relicla of the preceding line. 

55. herbas : cf. Prop., iv, 1, 1: hoc, quodcumque vides, hospes, qua 
maxima Roma est, ante Phrygem Aeneam collis et herba fuit. 

58. prospicit: cf. Ovid, F., 1, 85 ff . : Iuppiter arce sua totum cum 
spectat in orbem, nil nisi Romanum, quod tueatur, habet. 

59. Cf. Verg., G., 1, 250 : nosque ubi primus equis Oriens adflavit an- 
helis, I illis sera rubens accendit lumina Vesper. 

60. amnis : the ocean. Cf. Homer's irorafxhs uKeavbs (e.g. II., xiv, 245). 

63. sic: so may I, etc., i.e. on condition that my words are true. Cf. 
Hor., C, 1, 3, 1: sic te diva potens Cypri, etc. laurus : observe the 
(archaic) Ace. after vescar. See G. 407; A. & G. 249, b; PI. 477, 1, 1. 

64. virginitas : cf. a similar wish for Diana, 1. 122. aeternum may 
be translated {an) eternal (possession), but the metre is probably the con- 
trolling element in the choice of the neuter. 

66. ante: with caput. She tossed her hair down over her forehead. 
Others think it means that she tossed her hair (from) before her fore- 
head, i.e. back. 

67-69. The four Sibyls here alluded to are Amalthea ; Herophile of 
Marpessus — a city near Troy on Mount Ida; Phyto, called Grata in dis- 
tinction from the Trojan Sibyl just mentioned ; and Albunea, the Sibyl 
of Tibur on the river Anio. Varro (cf. Lact., Inst., 1, 6, 7 if.) gives a 
list of ten Sibyls, mentioning those which occur here (except Phyto), 
though he identifies Amalthea and Herophile. 

71. hae : these, the Sibyls just mentioned. The prodigies enumerated 
are those which preceded the murder of Caesar. Cf. Hor., C, 1, 2, 1-20; 
Ovid, M., xv, 783 if. ; Verg., G., 1, 466 ff. 

74. lucos: i.e. voices in the groves. Cf. Verg., G., 1, 476 (referring to 
the same prodigies) : vox quoque per lucos vulgo exaudita silentis ingens. 

75. defectum lumine : cf. Plin., N. H., 11, 98 : fiunt prodigiosi et lon- 
giores solis defectus, qualis occiso dictatoi*e Caesar e et Antoniano btllo, 
totius paene anno pallore continuo. 

78. vocales : endowed with human speech, used predicatively ; cf . 1. 3. 
A similar prodigy is mentioned by Livy, xxxv, 21, 4. 

79. fuerant : the Pluperfect is probably used idiomatically for the 
Aorist ; see G. 241, n. i. mitis : cf. Hor., Car. Saec, 33, 34: con- 
dito mitis placidusque telo . . . Apollo ! 

80. aequoribus : on the ocean as a means of cleansing away guilt, cf. 
Cat., lxxxviii, 5: (scelus) suscepit ... quantum non ultima Tethys nee 
genitor nympharum abluit oceanus, 

81. bene: with good omen ; the crackling of the burning laurel was 
considered as a good omen. Cf. Prop., iv, 3, 58, and Ovid, F., iv, 742 : 



55-122.] TIBULLUS. I49 

et crepet in mediis laurus adust a focis. To increase this crackling the 
laurel was sometimes smeared with bitumen. Cf. Verg., B., viii, 82 : 
fragiles incende bitumine laurus. 

86. dolia . . . lacus : the lacus was the receptacle into which the fresh 
grape-juice flowed. From there it passed into the dolia. 

87. madidus : cf. 1, 10, 51, and 11, 1, 29. 

89. acervos : this custom of leaping over piles of burning straw is 
described by Ovid, F., iv, 781 if.: moxque per ardentes stipulae crepi- 
tantis acervos \ traicias celeri strenua membra pede. Cf. Prop., iv, 4, 
77, 78. potus: a necessary precondition to the performance. 

92. conprensis auribus : the x^ T P a ° r 'pitcher-kiss,' so called because 
the person kissed was held by the ears as a pitcher is held by the handles. 

94. balba . . . verba: baby-talk. Cf. Hor. , Up., 1, 20, 18: balba senectus. 

95. operata : see Note on 11, 1, 9. 

98. coronatus : wreathed with garlands. Cf. Verg., 67., 11, 528: socii 
cratera coronant. 

104. mente . . . mala: cf. Cat., xl, 1: quaenam te mala mens. . .agit ? 

105. pace tua: with thy consent. Cf. Ovid, Am., in, 1, 60: pace loquar 
Veneris. 

109. cum : seems to be equivalent here to dum. 

110. iuvat . . . dolor : cf. Hor., C, 1, 27, 11, 12 : beatus. . .vulnere ; Tib., 
iv, 6, 18 : nee, liceat quamvis, sana fuisse velit ; and rv, 5, 5 : iuvat. . . 
quod uror. 

114. sacro : because of the divum tutela. 

115. Messalinum: he obtained the omamenta triumphalia for his cam- 
paign in Illyricum in a.d. 6. His father was still living, but Tibullus 
was dead. 

116. oppida victa : ' floats ' representing the conquered towns formed 
part of the triumphal procession. Cf. Ovid, Tr., iv, 2, 20 : cumque 
ducum tit/dis ojjpida capta leget ; and Prop., in, 4, 16 : titulis oppida 
capta legam. The normal word would be capta, as shown in the exam- 
ples quoted ; but Tibullus wishes to laud Messalinus as ' victor. ' 

117. lauros : cf. 1, 7, 7. 

118. Ovid repeat's this line {Tr., iv, 2, 52). 

120. Ovid imitates this passage (P., it, 1, 57). 

121. adnue: cf. iv, 5, 20, and iv, 6, 13. sic : cf. 1. 63, the close of 
the Sibyl's speech. 

122. casta: Diana is often called virgo, e.g. Verg., A., iv, 511 ; xi, 557; 
Hor., C, 1, 12, 22 ; in, 22, 1 ; Ovid, M., xn, 28, 29. 



I50 COMMENTARY. [II, 6, 1-41 ; 



II, 6. 

Tibullus's friend Macer has joined the army and the poet wonders 
whether Cupid will leave this new-fledged soldier alone. If so, he pro- 
poses to become a soldier himself (1-10). Yet he knows that this is only 
an idle word, he is too utterly a slave of love to be able to fulfil it (11- 
18). In fact, death would have finished it all, long ago, if the great god- 
dess Hope had not been leading him on (19-28). So he prays Nemesis to 
be merciful, by the memory of her sister, whose tragic end he recalls 
(29-40). But enough ! lest these sad thoughts make Nemesis weep 
(41, 42). 

The Macer referred to is probably Aemilius Macer, a poet of Verona, 
who wrote a didactic poem on fishes, snakes, and plants (cf. Ovid, Tr., 
iv, io,43). He died in Asia, in B.C. 16, perhaps while still connected 
with the army. He is not to be confounded with his slightly younger con- 
temporary, Pompems Macer, the librarian and grammarian, also a poet, 
whose chief claim on our interest lies in the fact that he was Ovid's 
travelling companion in Asia and Sicily (cf. Ovid, P., 11, 10, 21, 31). 

1. Castra : the key-note to the discussion of the first ten lines. 

2. collo . . . arma gerat : possibly used in the technical sense like our 
' carry arms. ' 

3. vaga : cf. Note on 11, 3, 39. 

4. ad latus : at his side. The phrase is unusual and perhaps technical. 

5. ure : from the vocabulary of slave torture ; cf. 1, 5, 5. 

6. erronem : truant. The word was applied to deserting soldiers and 
fugitive slaves. voca involves motion, hence the use of sub ; but it is 
bold. 

7. hie : this man, i.e. the speaker, Tibullus. 

8. galea : the helmet was used by the soldier as a drinking cup. Cf. 
Prop., in, 12, 8 : potab is galea fessus Araxis aquam. 

11. magna loquor : cf. Hor., S., I, 3, 13 : omnia magna loquens, and the 
Greek fieya elireiv or \eyeu> (e.g. Plat., Apol., V, 20e.). 

14. cum bene iuravi : ivhen I had sworn my prettiest. pes . . . ipse : 
as though it were a self-directing agent. Cf. Aristoph., Pax, 325 : 

OVK kfMOV KLVOVVTOS dVT& T<h (TKeXr] X°P e ^ eT0V ' 

15. acer Amor : the same epithet, iv, 2, 6. 

19. credula . . . Spes : trustful Hope, i.e. Hope which makes men trust- 
ful. See Note on 1, 10, 7. 

20. eras . . . melius : cf . Petron. , 45 : quod hodie non est, eras erit. A 
still closer parallel is Theocrit., iv, 41 : rdx' avpiov eao-er' d/meLvov. 

21. Cf. Philemon (Meineke, IV, p. 29) : del yeupybs ris viwra w\o\j<tios. 



IV, 2, 1-5.] TIBULLUS. 1 5 1 

22. fenore : the crops were regarded as interest on the seed planted. 
Cf. Cic, Sen., 15, 51 : terra quae numquam. . .sine jisura reddit quod 
accepit sed alias minore, plerumgue maiore cum fenore. . 

26. canit : the abrupt change of subject is very harsh. 

29. inmatura . . . ossa : her d^ath was premature. 

30. sic, etc. : a poetical adaptation of the formula found on ancient 
tombstones, sit tibi terra levis, often abbreviated into S. T. T. L a 

31. 33. illius : notice the variation in the scansion; cf. with mihi, 11. 31 
and 36. 

32. madefacta . . . meis lacrimis : cf. Cat. , ci, 9 (at his brother's tomb) : 
(haec). . .accipe fraterno multum manantia fletu. 

34. cum : the ashes and the poet will mingle their complaints to- 
gether, muto . . . cinere : cf. Cat., ci, 4: ut mutam nequiquam adlo- 
querer cinerem. 

36. lenta : the opposite of facilem in 1. 27. 

39. fenestra : the sister seems to have met her death by falling out of 
an upper window. The fall may have been from the cenaculum, or attic, 
where poor people, such as they, were wont to live. 

40. sanguinolenta : the dead were often thought of as retaining in the 
other world the same appearance they had had in the hour of death, or 
even when half consumed on the funeral pyre. Thus Cynthia appears to 
Propertius(Prop., iv, 7, 8) with her garment half burned ; and cf. Tib., 
1, 10, 38 : ustoque capillo. 

41. desino : the shortening of the final of the Pres. Indie, is becom- 
ing more allowable at this period. 

IV, 2. 

A valentine sent, with a present, to Sulpicia on the Matronaiia 
'(March 1st). In the old days presents were given, on the Matronaiia, by 
married men to their wives, and Juno was the patron deity ; later, lovers 
too gave presents to their lady-loves, and Venus as well as Juno was the 
goddess of the day. 

After invoking Mars on the Kalends of his own month (1-4), the poet 
praises Sulpicia (5-20), and invites Apollo and the Muses to honor this 
poetess-maid (21-24). 

1. tuis . . . kalendis : i.e. halendis Marti is, the first of March. 

3. Venus ignoscet : Venus would naturally feel jealous, but this feeling 
will be overcome by the admiration which Sulpicia's beauty will call 
forth. 

5. oculis : Propertius, going a step further, calls Cynthia's eyes geminae 
faces (11, 3, 14), and Cicero speaks of Clodia's ( = Catullus's Lesbia) fla- 



152 COMMENTARY. [IV, 2, 6-23 ; 

grantes oculos (Harsup. respons. , xviii, 38). Cf . Shakespeare, Venus and 
Adonis, 1. 1128 : ivhere, lo ! two lamps burnt out, in darkness lies. 

6. acer Amor : the same epithet, 11, 6, 15. 

7-12. Cf. Prop., 11, 1, 5-8. 

8. Decor : Grace is her waiting maid, always in her train (subsequitur), 
ready to give her a touch on the sly (conponit furtim). 

10. veneranda : adorable. The Latin contains the same faded religious 
sense as the English. 

11. Tyria : i.e. purple ; cf. 1. 16. 

13. Vertumnus : the god of the changing seasons. See Note on Prop., 
iv, 2. 

14. decenter habet : Propertius makes Vertumnus say : in quamcumque 
voles, verte, decorus ero (iv, 2, 22). 

17. bene olentibus arvis : cf. 11, 2, 4. Arabia was for the liomans the 
land of spices and perfumes. 

18. dives Arabs : cf. 11, 2, 4 : tener Arabs. 

19. 20. Cf. 11, 2, 15, 16, and Note. 

19. niger rubro : the juxtaposition is designed, for otherwise rubro and 
gemmas could easily change places. 

21. Pierides : the Muses, so called from Pieria, the region around Mt. 
Olympus, in the southern part of Macedonia. 

22. testudinea Phoebe superbe lyra: cf. iv, 4, 2, and Hor., C, i, 32, 13, 
14 : decus Plioebi et dapibus supremi \ grata testudo Iovis. 

23. sumat : undertake, 

IV, 3. 

Sulpicia (in reality Tibullus, speaking in her name) laments the ab- 
sence of Cerinthus on a hunting expedition. After a personal appeal to 
the wild boar to do him no harm (1-4), she points out the folly of hunt- 
ing (5-10). However, if she could be with him there, it would not be so 
foolish after all, though perhaps the business in hand might surfer for 
it (11-18). In her absence may he be faithful to her, may all who at- 
tempt to supplant her meet with a horrible end, and may he come back 
soon ! (19-24). 

1. Parce meo iuveni : strikes the key-note to the poem. Cf. 1, 1, 1 ; I, 
3, 1 ; 11, 6, 1. 

2. aper : the boar as his adversary may be a recollection of the death 
of Adonis by a boar. Cf. e.g. Prop., 11, 13, 54. 

3. nee ... sit : since parce (1. 1) shows that sit is optative, we should 
expect neu instead of nee. 



3, 1-20 ; 4, 1-10.] TIBULLUS. 153 

5. Delia: i.e. Diana, patroness of hunting. See Note on 1. 19. 

7. quae mens : sc. mala. See Note on n, 5, 104. 

11. The germ at least of the ' new woman ' was present in Rome. 
Cf. Arethusa's wish to join the army (Prop., iv, 3, 43), and Iuv., vi, 101 
seq. : haec inter nautas et prandet et errat \ per puppem et duros gaudet 
tractate rudentis ; but in all these cases the desire was to perform mascu- 
line deeds as the companions of men whom they loved, rather than as 
rivals of the sex. 

14. demam . . . vincla : unleash. 

15. placeant silvae : in contrast to her anathema in 1. 6 : pereant sil- 
vae. lux mea : cf. iv, 12, 1, where Sulpicia (in this case herself, and 
not the poet in her name) applies this same term of endearment to Cerin- 
thus. 

19. lege Dianae : the point lies in the fact that Diana, besides being a 
goddess of hunting, was also the ideal of chastity. 

20. caste . . . casta : emphatic repetition. 

IV, 4. 

The poet invokes the presence of Apollo, the divine physician, at the 
sick-bed of Sulpicia (1-2), praying that she may be restored to health, 
and that thus Cerinthus may be relieved of his anxiety (3-14). He bids 
Cerinthus take heart (15-16, 21-22, 17-18), and then again addressing 
Apollo, pictures the reward that will accrue to the god if he intercede 
(19-20, 23-26). 

It is barely possible that this may be the same illness to which Sulpicia 
herself alludes (iv, 11). 

1. Hue ades : observe the adverb of Motion after ades, which here has 
the effect of a verb of Motion. morbos expelle : addressed to Apollo 
as god of healing. Cf. CIL , vi, 39 : Apollini Salutari et Medicinali ; 
and the cult of Apollo Medicus (Liv., xl, 51 ; Macrob., Sat., 1, 17, 15). 

2. intonsa Phoebe superbe coma : flowing locks and the lyre were char- 
acteristic attributes of Apollo. Cf. 11, 3, 12 ; iv, 2, 22, and Note on 
Ovid, Am., 1, 1, 11. 

4. medicas . . . manus : cf. 1, 1, 10 : lanificam. . .manum. 

5. effice ne : see G. 553, 1. 

7. mali . . . triste : for the shift, see G. 369, R. 1 ; A. & G. 216, 3, R. ; B. 
201, 2, b. 

8. rapidis . . . equis : running water as the universal purifier. See Note 
on 11, 5, 80. 

9. 10. sapores . . . cantus : brewed herbs and incantations ; the usual 



1 54 COMMENTARY. [IV, 4, 11-25 ; 

means of healing. Cf. Tib., 1, 2, 59 ff. ; amoves cantibus aut Tierbis sol- 
vere posse. 

11. fata : death. n 

12. vota : perhaps Tibullus is reminded of his own vows for Delia's 
recovery ; cf. 1, 5, 10 : te dicor votis eripuisse meis. 

15. deus non laedit amantes : cf. Ovid, Am., in, 3, 42 : di quoque pectus 
habent. 

22. tristior : provoked, or cross. Cf. Plaut., Gas., 230 : eia ! mealuno, 
non decet te esse tarn tristem tuo Iovi. 

17. te . . . secum . . . cogitat : she pictures you to herself ; quite different 
from cogitat de te : she thinks about you (cf. iv, 5, 10). 

18. turba : the throng of suitors. 

20. restituisse duos : cf. Prop., n, 28, 41 (praying to Juppiter for Cynthia's 
life): si non unius, quaeso, miserere duorum ! and Ovid, Am., 11, 13, 15 : 
in una parce duobus ! 

23. celeber : the word contains the idea of a thronging crowd, as of 
worshippers in a temple ; by transference it may be applied to the god 
worshipped in the temple, hence by gradual transition celebrated. 

25. pia turba : the pia is added perhaps in contradistinction to the 
credula turba of 1. 18, 

IV, 5. 

Tibullus speaking as Sulpicia writes to Cerinthus on his birthday. In 
this poem, as in the last, different persons are addressed in rapid succes- 
sion — Cerinthus (1-8), his Genius (9-12), Venus (13-16), and lastly the 
Genius again (17-20). With this elegy should be compared the one fol- 
lowing, to the Juno of Sulpicia. 

3. Parcae cecinere : cf. 1, 7, 1 and Note. 

4. servitium . . . regna : the maidens were to be servae, he was to be 
rex. dederunt : observe the shortening of the penultimate. 

5. iuvat hoc: cf. 11, 5. 110 and Note. 

6. mutuus ignis: cf. Tib., 1, 2, 63 : non ego iotas abesset amor sod mu- 
tuus esset, orabam. 

7. dulcissima furta: stolen sweets. On the separation of per from furfa, 
cf. Note on 1, 5, 7. 

8. tuos oculos : Ovid {Am., in, 3) says that Corinna swore by her own 
eyes and by his — but that when she broke her promise, it was his eyes 
alone that smarted. 

9. cape . . . faveto : cf . Note on 1, 10, 67. 

10. de me cogitat : see Note on iv, 4, 17. 

11. quod si : is prosaic, but Tibullus often uses it. Cf. 1, 3, 53 ; n, 



5, 3-20; 6, 2-18; 7, 1, 2.] TIBULLUS. 155 

6, 7. amores : often, as here, the object of affection. For the Plural, 
see Note on i, 2, 79. 

13. nee : cf. Note on iv, 3, 3. 

15. uterque : cf. iv, 6, 8 : mutua vincla para. 

16. solvisse : Aorist Infin. ; cf. Prop., 1, 17, 1, and Note. 

20. adnue : cf. 11, 2, 9. clamne palamne : cf . 11, 1, 84. On ne . . . ne, 

see G. 460, 2— iv, 2. 

IV, 6. 

Written in honor of Sulpicia's birthday. The poet in the rule of an 
old friend of the two lovers asks Sulpicia's Iuno to foster their mutual 
love. 

Just as every man had a Genius which was worshipped especially on 
his birthday, so every woman had a guardian Iuno to whom she made 
sacrifice on her birthday. 

2. docta puella : the Muses' maid. The adjective doctus was applied 
especially to the Alexandrian school. Propertius, who was himself a doc- 
tus poeta, calls Cynthia (?) docta (Prop., 11, 11, 6, and 11, 13, 11). 

3. compsit: cf. iv, 2, 10 : sen compsit, comptis est veneranda comis. 

8. mutua vincla: cf. iv. 5, 7. 

9, 10. ullae : poetical for the more usual alii. Cf. Prop., in, n, 57, 
toto for toti. For the prose usage, see G. 76, 2, n. ; H. 93, 5. ille 
. . . dignior ilia : cf . iv, 7, 10 : cum digno digna. 

14. fit : sacrifice is being made. ter : cf. Note on 1, 5, 11. 

15. mater studiosa : Sulpicia seems to have been the cause of a good 
deal of worry to her relatives ; cf. her own statement in regard to her 
uncle, iv, 8, 5. That their fears were not unfounded is evinced by such 
expressions as dulcissima furta (iv, 5, 7) and peccasse iuvat (iv, 7, 9). 

16. iam sua : she has by this time a will and heart of her own. 

18, sana: heart-whole. One in love was vesana. male sana. Cf. Ca- 
tullus passim, and especially lxxxiii, 2 : si nostri oblita taceret, sana 
esset. 

IV, 7 . 

Sulpicia's maidenly reserve, which had prompted her to conceal her feel- 
ings, is overcome by the greatness of her passion. She is prepared to 
acknowledge it before society. 

1, 2. qualem — magis : (a love) such that it were to my shame to have peo- 
ple say 1 had kept it a secret instead of revealing it. fama, the subject 
of sit, is explained by the appositional clause texisse magis quam nudasse. 
Notice the inversion of magis — quam. 



156 



COMMENTARY. [IV, 7, 3-10; 8, 1-8; 9, 1-4; 



3. Cytherea : Venus, so called from the island of Cythera, south of the 
Peloponnesus, where she was especially worshipped. Camenis: old 

Roman, goddesses, identified by the poets with the (Greek) Muses. No 
special Latin reference is intended. Cf. Prop., 111, 10, 1. 

5. gaudia : the joys of love. This restricted meaning is the only one 
found in Tibullus. 

8. ne . . . nemo = nequis. quam . . . ante : antequam; cf . 1. 2, quam. . . 

magis. 

10. cum digno, digna : cf . iv, 6, 9, 10, where Tibullus's own opinion 
agrees with Sulpicia's as here expressed. 

IV, 8. 

Sulpicia's chagrin at the prospect of spending her birthday with her 
uncle Messalla in the country, instead of with Cerinthus at Rome. Com- 
panion piece to iv, 9. 

1. invisus: hateful. In her ill-humor she blames the day. 

3. dulcius urbe quid est : cf. Browning, ' Up at a villa — down in the 
city ': Oh! a day in the city-square, there is no such pleasure in life. 

4. Arretino . . . agro : the country around Arretium (modern Arezzo) in 
Etruria. 

6. A difficult and possibly corrupt line, non tempestivae would seem 
to be equivalent to intempestivae, and the meaning of the whole may be 
so apt to propose unseasonable journeyings — a truly feminine generaliza- 
tion. 

7. hie: i.e. in Rome, with Cerinthus. 

8. arbitrio meo : Servius Sulpicius, her father, was in all probability 
dead and Messalla was acting as her guardian. 



IV, 9. 

Companion piece to iv, 8. Contrary to her expectations, she may stay 
in Rome. In high glee, she plans a celebration. The sentiment of this 
little poem is well summed up in Cat., cvn, 1, 2: si cui quid cupidoque 
optantique obtigit umquam \ insperanti hoc est gratum animo proprie. 

1. triste : ivretched. Observe the omission of the Interrogative Par- 
ticle. This omission is customary in simple direct questions which 
partake of the nature of exclamations. See 0. 453 ; A. & G. 210, b ; B. 
162, 2, d ; H. 351, 3. 

4. nee opinanti : cf. Note on Prop., it, 3, 6. 



io, 1-5; n,l-6; 12, 1-6.] TIBULLUS. 1 57 

IV, 10. 

Sulpicia is hurt by Cerinthus's seeming neglect. Xo longer convinced 
that his absence is only a proof of his confidence in her, she suspects 
some strong affection, and to bring him to his senses, throws out dark 
hints that her family may interfere and put a stop to their relation. 

1. multum . . . tibi de me permittis : you allow yourself great liberties in 
respect to me. 

2. ne . . . cadam : dependent upon securus. male inepta : implying 
that he thinks she would be a fool to prefer another to him. 

3. pressumque quasillo : dependent on her spinning. The quasillum 
was the wool-basket. 

4. Servi filia Sulpicia : the name in full, to denote her aristocratic line- 
age. Cf., for a similar effect, Hor., C, m, 9, 14: Thurini Calais filius 
Ornyti. 

5. quibus : among them probably Valeria, her mother. Cf. iv, 6, 15. 

IV, 11. 
Sulpicia, grown fretful in her illness, craves a reassurance of affection. 

1. cura : a favorite word with Sulpicia. Cf. iv, 10, 3, and iv, 12, 1. 

2. corpora: the Plural denotes the various members of the body; cf. 
Note on 1, 2, 79. calor : fever; cf. Horace's (S., 1, 2, 80) use olfrigus 
= chill. 

3. tristes : another favorite word. Cf. iv, 8, 2, and iv, 9, 1. The ex- 
cessive use of adjectives seems characteristic of a young girl's language. 

6. lento : indifferent. 

IV, 12. 

A profuse apology for an act of rudeness of which she had been guilty 
the evening before. Amantium irae amoris integratio est (Ter., And., 
555. 

1. mea lux : a term of endearment akin to mea vita. Cf . iv, 3, 15. 
fervida cura: see Xote on iv. 11, 1. 

3. iuventa : poetical for the prose inventus. 
6. ardor em : passion. 

IV, 13. 

Tibullus declares his love for (Glycera ?) and longs to be the only one 
who loves her (1-8). In possession of her love he would fear neither soli- 



158 COMMENTARY. [IV, 13, 3-24. 

tutle nor darkness, and not even a goddess could find favor in his eyes 
(9-16). But now the secret is out, and he is completely at her mercy; 
still, he will remain her slave and implore the justice of Venus herself 
(17-24). 

There is no means of ascertaining with any degree of certainty to whom 
this poem was written. Had it been to Delia or Nemesis, it seems probable 
that it would h^ve been in Book 1 or 11, respectively. Its isolated position 
and its plaintive character make it just possible that we may have here 
a remnant of those miserabiles elegi, written to Glycera, of which Horace 
(C, 1, 33) speaks. 

3-6. Cf. Prop., 11, 7, 19 : tu mihi sola places, placeam tibi, Cynthia, 
solus. 

4. formosa: a superlative adjective in the lover's vocabulary of beauty; 
cf. iv, 4, 4. Catullus (lxxxvi) reserves it for Lesbia. 

5, 6. posses . . . displiceas : the shift from the Unreal to the Ideal is 
unusual, but probably intended. At first sight the fulfilment of his 
desire seems impossible; but as he fondles the thought, its very desira- 
bility makes the fulfilment seem more possible to him. 

7. procul absit : see Note on 11, 1, 11. 

8. in tacito gaudeat . . . sinu : a proverbial expression somewhat akin to 
laughing in one's sleeve. Cf. Cic, Tusc, in, 21, 51 : in sinu gaudeant ; 
Prop., n, 25, 30: in tacito cohibe gaudia. . .sinu ; Sen., Ep., 105, 3. 

11, 12. Cf. Prop., 1, 11, 23, 24, and Note. 

13. e caelo mittatur : a gift of the gods ; not to be confounded with the 
expression caelo missus (Tib. , 1, 3, 90), or de caelo missus, dropped from 
the shy, proverbial of any sudden and unexpected arrival. 

15. Iunonis : see Note on iv, 6. numina iuro : observe the omission 

of per, and cf. Verg., A., xn, 197: haec eadem, Aenea, terram mare sidera 
iuro. 

17. mea pignora : i.e. the timor of 1. 16, her fear of altogether losing 
his love, is now removed. 

19. fortis : no longer timida. 

23, 24. Love's slave at Venus's altar, not as a fugitive for refuge (cf. 
ne fugiam), but as a suppliant. 

24. notat : for Venus avenging the abuse of love, cf. Hor., C, 111, 26, 
11 : regina, sublimi flagello \ tange Chloen semel arrogantem. 



PROPERTIES. 



I. 



The poet confesses to his friend Tullus his hapless condition and his 
hopeless passion for Cynthia (1-8,). Others have won love, but he is help- 
less (9-18). Yet he is willing to try any means, from sorcery to exile 
(19-30). But let others take warning by him (31-38). For Tullus, see 
Note on 1. 9. 

1. Cynthia : the theme of the first book, the Cynthia Monobihlos. Cf. 
Introd., 29. prima : he takes no account here of Lycinna, his earliest 
love; cf. in, 15, 1-8. 

2. Cupidinibus : the "Eporres of Greek poetry. 

3. constantis lumina fastus : the eyes of my unbroken pride. 

4. pedibus : a metaphor from the arena, where the conqueror put his 
foot upon the neck of the conquered. Cf. Curt., ix, 29: pedem super 
cervicem iacenti inposuit. 

5. With the whole line, cf. the imitation found in Pompeii (CIL., iy, 
1520) : Candida me docuit nigras odisse puellas. 

6. inprobus : cf. Verg., A., iv, 412 : inprobe Amor, quid non mortalis 
pectora cogis ! 

9-16. The mythological parallel — Milanion's efforts to win Atalanta 
were crowned by success. 

9. Tulle : probably the nephew of L. Yolcatius Tullus, who was a col- 
league of Augustus in the consulship of B.C. 33. The first and last 
(22d) and also the sixth and fourteenth poems of this book, as well as iv, 
22, are addressed to him. He was sent to Asia probably as Jegatus pro- 
consulis (cf. 1. 6, 20, 34) and stayed there a number of years, iv, 22. is 
an attempt on Propertius's part to draw him back to Italy. It seems 
probable that through him Propertius made the acquaintance of Mae- 
cenas. 

10. saevitiam : her maidenly modesty seems 'cruelty' to her lover. 
Iasidos : the (Arcadian) Atalanta. daughter of Iasos. Milanion won her 
love by his persevering suit. She is 1:0" to be confounded with the 
Boeotian Atalanta, daughter of Schoeneus, from whom Hippomenes, as- 
sisted by the golden apples of Aphrodite, won the foot-race. 

11. Partheniis : a mountain on the border-land of Argolis and Arcadia. 

12. hirsutas . . . feras : \d<rioi dijpes. videre : the Gk. IMv, equiva- 



l6o COMMENTARY. [I, i, 13-36; 

lent to adire, often used in the Augustan poets of things the very sight 
of which implies risk. Cf. Hor., C, i, 3, 19 : qui vidit mare turgidum; 
Verg., A., vi, 134: bis nigra videre Tartar a. In poetry the Infinitive is 
sometimes used after a verb of Motion to express Design. 

13. Hylaei : adjective with rami. Hylaeus was a centaur who offered 
violence to Atalanta. 

15. domuisse : cf. Note on Tib., 1, 1, 29. Here, however, it is to be 
observed that the Perf. Infin. is in the hexameter and combined with 
potuit, as in 1, 17, 1. In this case it is probably better to regard the 
Infin. as an Aorist ; see Gr. 280, b, and 1. 

17. me: Abl. (not Ace). tardus: cf . 1, 7, 26. nonullas: more 
emphatic than nullas ; cf. 1. 30. 

18. vias: cf. Plaut., Trin., 667: atque ipse Amoris teneo omnis vias. 

19. deductae . . . lunae : the Kadoupetv ttjp ceKrqvriv mentioned e.g. in 
Aristoph., Nub., 750 (KadeXoLpu vvKTup rr\v <re\r)pr)v). Cf. Verg., B. t 
viii, 69: carmina vel caelo possunt deducere lunam. fallacia : he be- 
lieves their scheme to be a cheat, and yet he is willing to try it. 

21. 22. nostrae . . . meo : such sudden changes of number are character- 
istic of Propertius's style. Cf . 1. 33 : in me nostra, etc. agedum : be- 
ing reduced in force to a mere interjection, can stand alongside of con- 
vertite. 

22. palleat: paleness as a symptom of love. Cf. Ovid, A. A., 1, 729: 
palleat omnis amans, hie est color aptus amanti. 

23. sidera et aixmes : Tib., 1, 2, 43 : liaec ego de caelo ducentem sidera 
vidi, I fluminis haec rapidi carmine vertit iter. 

21. Cytaines : Medea, born at Cytae (Ktiraia) in Colchis. 

26. non sani : cf. Note on Tib., iv, 6, 18. 

27. ferrum . . . ignes : i.e. cutting and cauterization. Cf. Xen., Anab., 
V, 8. 18: kclI yap larpol kcllovctl /cat t€/ulvov(Tli> iir'' dyadqj. 

28. loqui: the prose form would be the Gren. of the Gerund. But the 
Infin. after a substantive is not uncommon in the poets, and here sit 
Uhertas almost equals liceat. 

31. facili . . . aure : a stereotyped phrase. Cf. Hor., S., 11, 22; Iuv., 
in, 122; v, 107. 

32. pares: cf. Theocr., xn, 15: dXKrjXovs icplXrjo-av fay £vy$. 
36. cura: i.e puella. Cf. Note on Tib., it, 3, 31. 

I, 2. 

' Wherefore be at such pains to seek artificial adornment ? It is need- 
less (1-8). We may learn this from nature herself (9-14) and from the 
heroines of ancient story (15-24.) Above all, in your case, with your 



2, 1-22.] PROPEKTIUS. l6l 

abundant natural gifts, there u no need ' (25-32). The poem was un- 
doubtedly addressed to Cynthia, though she is not mentioned by name. 

1. procedere: cf. Tib., iv, 2, 11. vita: a term of endearment (cf. 
far}) found in Catullus and Ovid, but not in Tibullus. 

2. Coa : cf. Note on Tib., n, 3, 53. 

3. Orontea . . . murra : perfume from Arabia was brought to Rome by 
way of Antioch on the river Orontes. 

5. mercato : Passive. 

7. medicina: in a technical sense, means of embellishment. 

8. nudus Amor : Amor, being himself unadorned, has a natural dislike 
of a dor n men t. 

9. submittat: cf. Lucr., 1, 7 : tellus submittit flores. colores : flow- 
ers. Cf. Cat., lxiv, 90 : aurave distinctos educit verna colores. 

11. in solis . . . antris : ' born to blush unseen.' 

12. indociles : non doctas. 

15-24. Mythological parallels inserted in the middle of the poem, just 
as in 1, 1. 

15. Leucippis : Hilai'ra and Phoebe, daughters of Leucippus, were stolen 
from their husbands, Idas and Lynceus, by Castor and Pollux. Cf. 
Theocr. , xxn. The scene is represented on a famous red-figured vase by 
Meidias (Brit. Mus., 1264). 

17. non : sc. sic. Idae: Marpessa, daughter of Evenus, was loved 
by Apollo, but Idas stole her from his temple. Apollo wished to avenge 
the deed, but Zeus forbade, and left the decision to Marpessa, who chose 
Idas. discordia : Marpessa, the cause of strife, is herself called dis- 
cord ia, with true Proper tian boldness. 

18. patriis . . . litoribus : the quarrel is localized on the banks of the 
river Evenus, in Aetolia, of which Marpessa's father Evenus was the 
eponymous hero. 

19. Phrygium... maritum : Pelops, who carried away Hippodamia, 
daughter of Oenomaus, king of Elis, on a chariot drawn by the horses of 
Poseidon. This myth was represented on the east pediment of the tem- 
ple of Zeus at Olympia. Cf. the vase in Baumeister, Denkmaler, 
1395. 

29. externis . . . rotis : the chariot of a stranger, i.e. of Pelops. Cf. 
Ovid, A. A., 11, 8 ; vecta peregrinis Hippodamia rotis. 

21. facies : not merely countenance but beauty of countenance, just as 
forma (1. 34) means not merely figure but beauty of figure. obnoxia: 
dependent on. 

22. Apelleis . . . tabulis : Apelles, a celebrated painter of the time of 
Alexander the Great, was famed for his coloring. Cf. Plin., N. H., 

11 



l62 COMMENTARY. [I, 2, 25-31; 

xxxv, 97. Propertius was apparently much interested in art ; cf . 11, 
31, 7, and in, g, 9. 

25. vilior : cf. 1, 8, 2 : an tibi sum gelida vilior lllyria f 
28. Aoniam: another name for Boeotia ; the allusion is to Mount Heli- 
con, the home of the Muses. 
31. nostrae vitae : to me as long as Hive. 

1, 3. 

Returning from a revel late at night, the poet finds Cynthia asleep 
(1-10). He hesitates to awake her, and stands before her couch (11-30), 
till the moonlight, falling on her face, arouses her, and she reproves him 
for his neglect and faithlessness (31-46). 

1-6. A comparison of the sleeping Cynthia to Ariadne (1, 2), Andro- 
meda (3, 4), and a Bacchante (5, 6), as each lay in deep sleep. 

1. Thesea : adjective with carina. Propertius is peculiarly fond of 
such adjectives formed from the names of persons. Cf . 1. 3, Cepheia ; 
1. 42, Orplieae ; 1, 1, 3, Hylaei ; 1, 2, 22, Apelleis ; and passim. 

2. G-nosia : Ariadne, so called from her home in Crete (Gnosus). In 
this description Propertius has in mind not only the myth in literature 
(cf. especially Cat., lxiv), but also the celebrated representations of it in 
sculpture, such as the well-known sleeping Ariadne of the Vatican. 

3. 4. Cepheia . . . Andromede : Andromeda, the daughter of Cepheus has 
been rescued from the sea-monster by Perseus. Now that the strain is 
over, she sinks into a deep sleep. Cf . Note on 11, 28, 21. duris cotibus : 
the myth was localized on the northern coast of Africa. 

5. Edonis : a Bacchante, so called from the Edoni, a Thracian tribe east 
of the Strymon. 

6. Apidano : a river of Thessaly, a branch of the Peneus. 

7. spirare quietem : a bold expression. Cf. the Homeric phrase : ntvea 
irvelovres 'A^ato/. 

8. non certis . . . manibus : cf . the description of Tarpeia's going to 
sleep (rv, 4, 67) : dixit et incerto permisit bracchia somno. 

10. pueri : the slaves, the so-called advorsitores, whose duty it was to 
meet their master and accompany him home. 

11. sensus deperditus : a violent use of the Ace. of Respect, for which 
no parallel can be cited. 

14. Amor ... Liber : a favorite combination in poetry. Cf. Callim., 
Upigr., 42 : "A/cp^ros /ecu " Epws ; and Plaut.. Aid., 745 : vini vitio atque 
amor is. 

15. positam : KeLfiev-qv. 

17. dominae : the usual term in the elegy. 



3, 1-45.] PROPERTIUS. 163 

18. expertae : Passive. 

19. ocellis : without diminutive force : cf. 1, 1, 1. It is an easy ending 
to a line, as is corollas, two lines below. 

20. Inachidos : Io, daughter of Inachus, beloved of Zeus, and turned 
into a heifer by Hera. The hundred-eyed Argus was set to watch her. 
Cf. Ovid, M. t 1, 728-750. In all but the earliest and the latest periods 
of art she is conceived of, as here, as a beautiful woman, the only indi- 
cation of her metamorphosis being the horns. 

21. corollas: an essential part of the convivium which he had just at- 
tended. 

24. furtiva : by a transference very common in Propertius, the poma 
are here called furtiva, just as above (1. 9) the vestigia are called ebria. 

25. Cf. Cat., lxxvi, 9 : omnia quae ingratae perierunt credit a 
menti. largibar : such forms in the fourth conjugation are remnants 
of ancient usage, due to the exigencies of the metre. 

27. duxit : the change from the direct address of 1. 22 to the indirect 
address here, and back again to the direct in 1. 29, is thoroughly charac- 
teristic of Propertius's restless style. Notice the violation of the law of 
Iterative action here, which would require the Pluperfect, perhaps ex- 
plicable on the ground that obstupui is an emotional Perfect. 

28. credulus auspicio : the adjective here governs the substantive in the 
same case which the corresponding verb would govern. Cf. Hor., G. , 11, 
13, 11 : te caducum in domini caput. 

31. diversas : the windows were behind his back. 

32. moraturis . . . luminibus : the moonbeams are conceived of as loath 
to leave Cynthia, but the moon herself, mindful of her duty (sedula), 
hurries them on. 

34. cubitum: for the position, cf. Ovid, 31., ix, 518 : in latus erigitur 
cubitogue innixa sinistro. . .inquit. 

37. consumpsti = consumpsisti. Syncope in the second person of the Per- 
fect is common in Catullus, but this is the only instance in Propertius 
(unless we read with Vahlen duxti in 1. 27 of this poem). 

41. Stamine : she tries to make the time pass by spinning, as Tibiillus 
imagines Delia's maids to be doing (Tib., 1, 3, 86) and as Arethusa de- 
scribes to Lycotas (Prop., iv, 3, 33). 

42. Orpheae . . . lyrae : cf. Ovid, Am., 11, 11, 32 : Threiciam lyram. 

44. externo . . .in amore : seems to imply that, at least in the fiction of 
this poem, Propertius is living in the same house with Cynthia. 

45. Sopor: cf. Tib., ir, 1, 89, 90 : furvis circumdatus alis \ Somnus. 



164 COMMENTARY. [I, 6, 1-34; 

1,6. 

* Not fear, but love, keeps me from going with you, Tullus (1-6), for 
Cynthia will not hear of it (7-12), and how could I grieve her? (13-18). 
But do you go, and may love not molest you ! (19-24). Leave me where I 
belong ! (25-30). Good-luck to you, and may you sometimes pity me ! ' 
(31-36). 

This poem has been fitly compared to Tib., 1, 1. The theme is, in gen- 
eral, the same — a refusal to accompany a friend upon a military expedi- 
tion, based upon the superior claims of love; but the manner of treatment 
is characteristically different. Cynthia plays a far more prominent role 
than Delia. The fear of her ill-will keeps Propertius back, while Tibullus 
stays voluntarily for love of Delia, whose own attitude to the question is 
not alluded to. Then, too, if Cynthia did not object, Propertius would 
gladly go, while Tibullus loves his home for its own sake, even apart from 
Delia. 

For the Tullus here mentioned, see Note on t, 1, 9. 

1-4. With the general idea expressed in these lines — his willingness to 
go to the uttermost parts of the earth with his friend, cf . Cat. , xi, 1-12, 
and Hor., C, n, 6, 1-4. 

1. noscere : for the Infinitive after vereor, see G. 550, n. 5. 

2. Aegaeo . . . sale: Dative of the Place Whither. See GL 558. 

3. Rhipaeos : in Scythia. Cf. Verg., Gr., 1, 240: mundus ut ad 
Scythiam Rhipaeasque arduus arces consurgit. The reference is a gen- 
eral one, to the far north. 

4. ulterius : here governs the Accusative as ultra would. Memno- 
nias : Aethiopia, Memnon's fabled home — here used for the south gen- 
erally. 

5. Cf. Tib., 1, 1, 55: me retinent vinctum formosae vincla puettae. 

7. argutat : usually deponent. ignes : cf. Ovid, Tr., iv, 10, 45 : 

saepe suos solitus recitare Propertius ignes, and Prop. , 11, 34, 44. 

9. se : sc. esse. 

10. tristis: cf. Note on Tib., iv, 4, 22. 

12. lentus : with indifference. 

13. doctas . . . Athenas : cf. 111, 21, 1 : ad doctas Atlienas. Athens en- 
joyed a reputation for its present learning as well as for its past. Cf. 
Cicero's words to his son, who was a student at Athens (de Off., 1, 1, 1). 

14. Asiae . . . divitis : particularly the cities of Ephesus and Smyrna. 
Cf. Cat., xlvi, 6 : claras Asiae. . .urbes. 

15. deducta : drawn down into the ivater (cf. k(l6£\k6lv). When not in 
use, the ships were drawn up on the beach. Cf. Hor., C, 1, 4, 2 : trahunU 
que siccas machinac carinas. 



7, 1, 2.] PKOPERTIUS. 165 

17. vento : with dicat. She tells her woes to the wind which blows in 
her face. 

19. tu : contrasted with me in 1. 25. patrui : L. Volcatius Tullus, 

consul B.C. 33. 

21. tua . . . aetas : you all your life long. Cf. iv, 11, 45, and 1, 2, 31 
and Xote. cessavit : vacavit. 

22. cura : the use of this particular word, which in erotic poetry is 
often identical with lady-love (cf. Note on Tib., it, 3, 31), is probably in- 
tentional. 

23. puer iste : Amor. 

24. lacrimis . . . nota : the lacrimae are conceived of as endowed with 
conscious personality. Cf. 1, 19, 18 : cara tamen lacrimis ossa futura 
me is. 

25. iacere: to be of no account. 

26. nequitiae : cf. Ovid, Am., it, 1, 2. 

28. in quorum numero : cf. his epitaph (11, 1, 78) : huic miser fatum 
dura puella fuit. 

29. laudi : glory won in war. Cf. Tib., 1, 1, 57 : non ego laudari euro. 

30. militiam: cf. iv, 1, 137 : militiam Veneris, and Hor., C, in, 26, 
1 : vixi puellis nuper idoneus \ et militavi non sine gloria. 

31. mollis = appos, a favorite epithet for the Ionians. 

. 32. Pactoli : a favorite river in Augustan poetry, because of the fabu- 
lous gold-deposit in its waters (Soph., Phil., 392 : ILaKTwXbv evxpwov). As 
a matter of fact, it had long ceased to yield gold (cf . Strabo, xin, 4, 5). 

33. carpere : Infinitive of Design. See Gr. 421, x. 1. 

34. pars imperii : Tullus went probably in the capacity of quaestor. 

I, 7- 

* You, Ponticus, are writing great epics (1-4), but I am content with 
my elegies (5-8). That is my work ; on it my reputation rests (9-14). 
But, beware ; some day you too may be writing elegies (15-20). So don't 
despise me now ' (21-26). 

The Ponticus here mentioned (and also in 1, 9) is probably the friend 
of Ovid (cf. Tr., iv, 10, 47 : Ponticus heroo, Bassus quoque clarus iam- 
bis, I dulcia convictus membra fuere mei). 

1-8. The contrast between epics and elegies recurs similarly in Ovid 
{Am., 11, iS, 1, 3) : carmen ad iratum dum tn perducis Achillen,. . .nos, 
Macer, ignava Veneris cessamus in umbra. 

1. Cadmeae . . . Thebae : Ponticus was evidently at work on a Thebais, 
an epic of the Seven against Thebes. Cf. 1. 17 : agmina septem. 

2. fraternae . . . militiae : the contest of Eteocles and Polynices. 



1 66 COMMENTARY. [I, 7, 3-26; 

3. ita sim felix : Til stake my happiness on it. 

5. nos : contrasted with 1. 1, dum tibi. consuemus : syncopated 
Perfect. Cf. n, 7, 2 : flemus — flevimus ; it, 15, 3 : narramus == narravi- 
mus ; 11, 15, 9 : mutamus = mutavimus. 

6. Cf. Tib., 11, 4, 19 : a<# dominant faciles aditus per carmina qnaero. 

9. vitae modus : merely a poetic heightening for vita or tempus. 

10. nomen : scarcely different from fama in the preceding line. 

11. doctae . . . puellae : with placuisse. Propertius applies the same 
phrase to Cynthia (11, 13, 11). 

15. certo . . . arcu : Ovid (Am., 1, 1, 25) speaks of Amor's certas... 
sagittas. puer hie: cf. puer iste (1, 6, 23) and illepner (in, 10, 28). 

16. nostros . . . deos : Venus and Amor. 

17. agmina septem: cf. Note on 1. 1. 

18. surda : unheeded. 

19. mollem . . . versum : i.e. the elegy in contrast to the versus durus (11, 
1, 41) of the epic. A book of elegiac poetry is called a liber mollis (11, 1, 
2), and an epic poet poeta durus (11, 34, 44). Cf. also Note on in, 1, 19. 

20. subiciet : suggest. Cf , vTcofiaWeiv. 

23. Increase of fame after death is a commonplace of Augustan poetry. 
Cf. Hor., C, in, 30, 6 : multa pars mei \ vitabit Libitinam ; usque ego 
poster a \ crescam laude recens, and Propertius himself, in, 1, 24 ; mains 
ab exequiis nomen in or a venit. 

24. ardoris nostri: cf. Ovid, Am., n, 1, 7-10 : atque aliquis iuvenum 
' quo ' dicat. . . ' ab iudice doctus conposuit casus iste poeta meos ? ' 

25. cave: see G. 707, 2, n. ; A. & G. 348, 5, 4 ; B. 263, 2, b. 

26. magno fenore: cf. Ovid, H., iv, 19 : venit Amor gravius, quo se- 
rins, tardus: cf. 1, 1, 17. 

I, 8. 

To Cynthia, who is planning to accompany a propraetor to his prov- 
ince of Illyria. 

' Where is your love for me, Cynthia, that you are ready to go with 
him ? (1-4) and then, too, have you thought of the hardships of the jour- 
ney ?* (5-8) I pray that adverse winds may hinder your departure (9-16). 
But once you really set out, my good wishes go with you (17-20). But 
wherever you go, you will one day be mine again ' (21-26). 

The praetor here referred to seems to have been a real person. In 
n, 16, we hear of his return from Illyria : Praetor ab Illyricis venit modo, 
Cynthia, terris, \ maxima praeda tibi, maxima cur a mihi. 

fc 1. igitur : like ergo, marks the surprise at the result of a chain of 
reasoning. The reasoning itself is omitted. Propertius is peculiarly 



8, 1-22.] PROPERTirS. 167 

fond of such abrupt beginnings. Cf. nr. 7, Ergo, etc. ; 111, 23, Ergo, 
etc. mea cur a : your love for me. 

2. tibi . . . vilior : cf . 1, 2, 25 : non ego nunc vereor ne sim tibi vilior 
istis. 

3. quicumque est, iste : contemptuous. He knows perfectly well who 
he is. 

4. quolibet : adverbial. 

5. tune: notice the emphatic repetition of the pronoun tune (1. 1); 
tibi (1. 2) ; tibi (1. 3) ; tune (1. 5) ; tu (]. 7) ; tibi (1. 11). murmura : 
in in, 7, 47, it is said of Paetus: non tulit. . .stridorem audire procellae. 

7,8. Cf. Verg., P., x, 47, where Gallus complains: Alpinas, ah! 
dura, wives et frigora Rheni me sine sola vides. 

7. pruinas : the snow lying on the ground (positas), as distinguished 
from the snowstorms {nives, 1. 8). 

9. utinam : Hiatus ; see Note on Tib., 1, 3, 2. 

10. Vergiliis : the morning rising of the Vergiliae (better known by 
the Greek name Pleiades) marked the beginning of the sailing season. 
Cf. Serv., G., 1, 138 : Pleiades ortu suo primae navigationis tempus osten- 
dunt, unde Graece Pleiades dicuntur. Propertius hopes their rising may 
be delayed (tardis). 

11. Tyrrhena . . . harena: the poet conceives of her as sailing from Ostia 
around Italy, and so to Illyria, instead of going by land to Brundisium 
and thence by boat. The latter was the usual method ; but too much 
stress must not be laid on the geographical element either here or else- 
where in Propertius. 

12. aura : on the idea that the winds can carry away prayers and 
wishes, and thus render them ineffective, cf. Cat., lxiv, 142 : quae 
cuncta aerii discerpunt inrita venti; Prop. 1, 16, 34 : at mea nocturno 
verba cadunt zephyro ; and Tib. 1, 5, 35. 

15. patiatur : sc. unda as subject. 

16. crudelem . . . vocare : to cry out ' crudelis,' i.e. cruel Cynthia; or, 
possibly, te is to be supplied : to call thee cruel. infesta . . . manu : a 
threatening gesture accompanies his words. 

18. Galatea: a Nereid beloved by the Cyclop Polyphemus, and famed 
for her beauty. 0\ r id (Am., it, ii, 34) imitates the line : aequa tamen 
puppi sit Galatea tuae. 

19. praevecta : Vocative, agreeing with the vocative idea implied in 
te. Ceraunia : better known as Acro-ceraunia, was a rocky headland 
projecting into the Adriatic and forming a small bay within which Oricos 
was situated. It was proverbially a dangerous spot. Cf. Hor., C, I, 3, 
19 : infamis scopulos Acroceraunia. 

22. vita: cf. Note on 1, 2, 1. limine verba querar : the lamenta- 



1 68 COMMENTARY. [I, 8, 24-26; 

tion at the loved one's door was such a common theme in Greek erotic 
poetry that a poem treating of it had a technical name, irapaKkavo-Ldvpov. 

24. clausa ... est : the Indicative is used to give increased vividness. 

25. Atraciis : inhabitants of At rax, a town in Thessaly, though why a 
Thessalian people are mentioned here — we expect an Illyrian one — has 
not been explained. Autaricis, the name of a barbarous Illyrian tribe, 
has been conjectured. 

26. Hylleis : the 'TW^es, an Illyrian people, whose eponymous hero 
was Hyllus, son of Herakles and the Phaeacian nymph Melite. Cf. 
Apoll. Rhod., iv, 537. 

I, 8b. 

1 My love has conquered. Cynthia is to stay (27-30). I am dearer to 
her than all the wealth that he could offer her (31-38). It is my muse 
that wins her to me (39-42), and our love shall abide forever ' (43-46). 

A companion piece to i, 8, It was doubtless originally an independent 
elegy, but is joined to i, 8, in the manuscripts. Justus Lipsius was the 
first to separate them. Propertius is fond of such groups of poems (cf. 
I, 7 and 9 ; n, 28, 28b, 28c). Ovid's Amoves contains similar groups 
(cf. i, 11 and 12; u, 9 and 9b). 

27. 28. The excitement of the speaker is indicated by a series of ejacu- 
latory short sentences, five of them in two lines. 

27. iurata : probably used in a medial sense. rumpantur iniqui : 

proverbial. Cf. Verg., B. t vn, 26 : invidia rumpantur. 

29. licet . . . deponat : ironically courteous. 

30. Cynthia nostra: the pronoun is emphatic. Cf. Cat., xliii, 7, and 
lviii, 1 : Lesbia nostra. vias : Ace. after ire by an extension of 
the use of the Cognate Accusative. 

31. cams : sc. dicor. pernie: on account of me; contrasted with 
sine me : if I am, not there. 

35. Hippodamiae : cf . Note on I, 2, 19. Her dowry was the kingdom of 
her father. 

36. equis : would present to the Roman mind a picture of Olympia (a 
part of Oenomaus's possessions), with its famous races. 

37. daturus: sc. essei. 

39. conchis : pearls. 

40. blandi carminis obsequio : humility as a means of winning love. Cf. 
Tib., i, 4, 40 : obsequio plurima vincit amor. 

41. sunt igitur Musae : emphatic expression of conviction after a period 
of doubt. Cf. iv, 7, 1 : sunt aliquid Manes. 

42. rara? cf. i, 17, 16 (again of Cynthia) : rara puella fuit. 



Sb, 27-43; 9, 1-19.] PROPERTIUS. 1C9 

43. contingere sidera plantis : with this treading upon the stars com- 
pare Hor., C, 1, 1, 36 : sublimi feriam sidera vertice, and Cic, ad Att., 
11, i,7: nostri autem principes d/Lgito se caelum putent attingere, si mulli 
barbati in piscinis sint. 

1,9- 

Addressed to Ponticus, who, true to the prophecy of i, 7, has fallen a 
prey to Amor. 

' Your fall has come, Ponticus; do not deny it (1-8). What does your 
epic poetry profit you now ? Put your muse into the service of your love 
(9-16). The pain is not severe yet, but the worst is still to come (17-22). 
Do not deceive yourself into thinking you can fight it down (23-32). A 
frank confession is the only means to ease your suffering ' (33, 34). 

I. Dicebam: something like I told you so ! Cf. Plaut., Asin., 938 ; 
Ovid, Am., 1, 14, 1 ; Sen., Apoc, 12. inrisor : scoffer. 

3. ad iura puellae : cf. hi, ii, 2: femina. . .trahit addiction sub sua 
iura virum. 

4. quaevis . . . empta : it is only a mere slave-girl that has caught his 
fancy. 

5. Chaoniae . . . columbae : the doves in the oracular oak-tree of Zeus at 
Dodona (in Epirus, where the tribe of the Chaones lived). Cf. n, 21, 3: 
sed tibi iam videor Dodona verior augur. 

8. atque utinam : cf. 1, 11, 9 ; 11, 13, 43. rudis : contrasted with 
peritus. Cf. also 11, 34, 82 : sivein amove rudis sive peritus erit. 

9. grave . . . carmen : an epic. 

10. Amphioniae . . . lyrae : another reference to Ponticus's Thebais. Cf . 
1, 7, 1 and Xote. Amphion, by playing on his lyre, caused the stones to 
build themselves into the walls of Thebes. 

II. Mimnermi : cf. Introd., 4. Propertius chooses him as the most 
venerable representative of the elegy, and therefore the best contrast to 
Homer. 

13. tristes istos conpone libellos : shut up those mournful books of yours. 
The books referred to are the Greek sources which he was using in writ- 
ing his epic. They are called tristes in accord with flere (1. 10). 

15. copia : material, subject-matter. 

16. medio flumine quaeris aquam : proverbial. Cf. Ovid, Tr., v, 4, 10 : 
nee pleno fl umine cernit aquas, and the Greek proverb : ip daXdaar] ^rirelv 
vdiop. 

19. Armenias . . . tigres : mentioned also by Verg., B., v, 29, and Lyg- 
damus (Tib., in, 6, 15). accedere : cf. Verg., A,, 1, 200 : vos et 

Scyllaeam rabiem penitusque sonant is accestis scopulos. 



170 COMMENTAKY. [I, 9, 20-34; 

20. rotae : Ixion's wheel. 

21. pueri: Amor. 

23, 24. Amor allows one to touch his wings, i.e. he lets himself ^e 
captured, but while he is at close quarters he inflicts heavier wounds. 

26. subit : creep into your heart. 

27. vacuos : proleptic — so that they get a chance to rest. 

28. alio nomine : on any other ground. Amor forbids him to forget 
love by work. Cf. n, 3, 7 : studiis vigilare severis. 

31. silices . . . quercus : proverbial. Cf. Ovid, Am., in, 7, 57 : ilia graves 
. . .potuit quercus surdaque olanditiis saxa movere suis. 

34. quo: neuter, as in 1, 18, 27. pereas : perire, to be in love, is 

common in poetry from Plautus down. 

I, 11. 

To Cynthia at Baiae. ' Are you true to me at Baiae ? (1-8). Don't 
put yourself in the way of temptation (9-16) — not but what I trust you, 
but my very love makes me fearful (17-20). For you are the whole of 
life to me (21-26). So come away from Baiae, plague take the place' 
(27-30). On Baiae, the most famous watering-place of the ancient world, 
cf. Friedlander, Sittengeschichte 6 , 11, 118 3. 

1. te: Ace. after subit, 1. 5, with the Infinitive ducere. 

2. Herculeis . . . litoribus : the mole which separated the Lacus Lucrinus 
from the ocean was thought to have been made by Hercules, when he 
was driving the cattle of Geryon. Cf. in, 18, 4 : et sonat Hercules structa 
labore via; Strabo, v, 4, 6 ; Diodor., iv, 22. 

3. Thesproti : his kingdom, in which was supposed to be situated the 
entrance to the lower world (cf. Paus., 1, 17, 5), is usually located in 
Epirus. But other legends placed the entrance to the lower world at 
Cumae (near Baiae), and it would easily follow that Thesprotus's king- 
dom might be located there too. 

4. Misenis : from the rare neuter plural form Misena instead of the 
ordinary Misenum^ the promontory called after Aeneas's trumpeter Mi- 
senus (Verg., A., vi, 162). 

5. nostri : with memores. 

6. in extremo . . . amore : in the furthest corner of your heart. 

8. nostris . . . carminibus : a boldness similar to the use of lacrimis. . . 
meis (1, 6, 24). 

9. mage — potius, with quam (1. 13). 

10. Lucrina . . . aqua : situated between Lacus Avernus and the sea. 
cymba: the skiffs employed at Baiae were famed for their lightness ; cf. 
Iuv., xii, 80. moretur : entertain, amuse. 



ii, 1-29; 12, 1-6.] PROPERTIUS. 171 

11. Teuthrantis : a small stream near Baiae. 

12. manu: Dative. Cf. n, 1, 66 : manu ■; 11, 19, 19 : pinu. The ref- 
erence is to swimming. 

14. molliter . . . conpositam : expressing the studied grace of her posi- 
tion, may be well contrasted with the dbiectus. . .molliter of 1, 14, 1. 

16. communes . . . deos : the gods who had been called upon to witness 
their vows of love. Vergil (A., xn, 118), speaking of a treaty between 
the Trojans and the Rutuli, uses the same phrase. 

18. timetur Amor : cf. Shakespeare, Venus and Adonis, 1. 1021 : fond 
Love ! thou art so full of fear. 

19. ignosces : the Future in an Imperative sense. Cf. G. 243. 

21. matris : Propertius speaks of his mother twice (in addition to this 
passage) ; in 11, *20, 15, where she is referred to as dead, and in iv, 1, 
132, in a reminiscence of his youth. 

23, 24. Cf. Andromache's words (77., vi, 429 ft.) : drap <ri> fioi ecrcri irarrip 
/ecu TTorvLa fjarjrrjp | rjde KacriyvriTOS, crv 8e /jlol daXapbs 7rapaKoir7]s. 

29. castis inimica puellis : Baiae was notorious for its immorality even 
down to the time of Boccacio. Cf. Martial's story (1, 62) of the woman 
who came a model of virtue, and departed eloping with a stranger : Pene- 
lope venit, abiit Helene. 

I, 12. 

A reply to a friend who has chided the poet upon the useless life he is 
leading (desidia), and upon the fact that gossip is busy with his affairs. 
1 Your charge is baseless, for it is all over between Cynthia and me (1-6). 
Her former love is gone, and I am disconsolate (7-14). Happy he who 
can learn to love another. This is not for me, for Cynthia was my first 
love, and she shall be my last ' (15-20). 

1. fingere crimen: cf. in, 11, 3 : crimina ignavi capitis mild turpia 
fingis ? 

3. ilia: she. It is perfectly plain who is meant. Cf. a similar ab- 
ruptness in 1, 14, 9. 

4. Hypanis : of the three ancient rivers of this name — the one in Scythia 
(mod. Bug), the one in the Caucasus (mod. Cuban), and the one in India, 
a tributary of the Indus (mod. Gkarra)— the last, being the farthest east, 
best suits the context. That it was well known at this time is proved by 
the frequent references to it in Strabo. Eridano : the'Hpic>a*'6s, more 
familiarly known as the Padus (Po). The idea of the line is as far as 
the east is from the ivest. 

6. Cynthia: the name Cynthia. Lucretius (iv, 103:) says of a man in 
love, nomen dulce observatur ad aures. 



172 COMMENTAKY. [I, 12, 7-19; 

7, 8. Cf. Cat., lxxxvii, 3 fi°. : nulla fides, nullo fuit umquam foedere 
tarda, \ quanta in amove tuo ex parte reperta mea est. 

7. gratus eram : cf. Hor., C, in, 9, 1: donee gratus eram, etc. 

9. invidiae : a reference to the superstition of the ' envy of the gods ' 
{(pdbvos de&v). quae : Indefinite pronoun, with herba. 

10. Prometheis . . . iugis : Mount Caucasus, where Prometheus was bound, 
herba : (magic) herb, referring generally to the Caucasus as the land of 
the sorceress Medea, and perhaps particularly to the (pap/matcou UpopLrjOeiov,. 
the so-called flower of Prometheus, which grew out of his vitals ; cf. 
Apoll. Ehod., in, 843 ff. 

11. Cf. Hor., (7., iv, 1, 3: non sum qualis eram bonae \ sub regno 
Cinaras. via : probably Cynthia's journey to Baiae. 

15. felix, qui potuit : doubtless a reminiscence of the famous passage in 
Verg., Cf., 11, 490, felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas. 

17. calores: passion, i.e. the object of it. Cf. the use of amores. 
19. fas est : it has been decreed, almost equivalent to fatum est. 

I, 14. 

' The greatest riches of this world, Tullus, cannot be compared with 
love (1-8), for he that hath love hath them all (9-14). And if a man 
have not love, though he have all else, yet hath he nothing (15-22). 
Therefore possessed of love, I am supremely rich ' (23, 24). 

1. abiectus . . . molliter : cf. Note on 1, 11, 14. Tiberina . . . unda : 
Tullus may have had a villa on the Tiber, as Dellius had (cf. Hor., C, n, 
3, 18 : villaque flavus quam Tiberis lavit), or gardens such as Clodia 
(Catullus's Lesbia) had (cf. Cic, Gael., 36). 

2. Lesbia ... vina : a very light wine. Horace (C, 1, 17, 21) calls it 
innocens, and Athenaeus, 1, 22, olvdpiov ('petit vin'). Mentoreo . . . 
opere : Mentor, the most famous silver-chaser of antiquity, lived in the 
fourth century, and at this time genuine works of his were almost 
priceless. Cf. Plin., N. H., xxxin, 154. 

3. 4. lintres . . . rates: the light skiffs contrasted with the heavy barges. 
The Tiber presented a very different picture then from what it does 
to-day. 

3. mireris: with the Infinitive, of actual vision, seems to be un- 
paralleled. 

5. vertice: sprung from the crest (of the hill), with satas. See G. 395, 
x. 1. 

7. valeant : is here followed by the Infin. contendere. This construc- 
tion is poetical and post-classic (once in Livv). The proper construc- 
tion in Cic, Caes , and Sail, is ad with the Gerund. 



14, 1-24 ; 17, 1-3.] PEOPERTIUS. 1 73 

8. Cf. I, 5, 24 : nescit Amor priscis cedere imaginibus. 

9. ilia: cf. Xote on I, 12, 3. 

11. Pactoli: cf. Xote on 1, 6, 83. 

12. rubris . . . aequoribus : the ' Red Sea, or mare Erythraeum, included 
the Avhole of the Indian Ocean. 

13. cessuros : sc. esse. gaudia : the joys of love ; cf. Xote on Tib., 
iv, 7, 5. 

14. dum: until. With the sentiment of the line,, cf. the couplet of 
3limnermus, Introd., 4, N. 5. 

15. Cf. Tib., 1, 2, 75 : quid Tyrio recubare toro sine amove secundo \ 
prodest ? 

18. duris mentibus : to souls of stubborn mould. 

19. Arabium . . . limen : a doorstep of onyx or alabaster. Arabium for 
the sake of the metre ; so also 11, 3, 15, and Arabiae, 11, 10, 16. 

20. toro : Abl. of Place. 

21. vers are : transitive. For the sentiment, cf. Cat., l, 11: sed toto 
indomitus furore lecto \ versarer cupiens videre lucem. 

22. serica : silks, so called from their makers the Seres (S^es), the 
Chinese. 

24. Alcinoi : king of the Phaeacians, famed for his wealth. munera : 

to be taken generally — such gifts as Tie might give. There is no reference 
to the actual gifts mentioned in the Odvssey (vin, 392 ; xin, 13 and 
217). 

I,i7- 

A highly dramatic poem. The scene is the Adriatic off the coast of 
Greece ; a storm is raging ; the poet, who has undertaken a journey in 
despair because of Cynthia, is in danger of shipwreck. 

' Yes, I deserve it all, because I had the heart to leave her (1-4). Cyn- 
thia ! the very winds and waves are your allies (5-3). Be mercif al and 
forgive, before it is too late (9-12). A curse on him who taught man to 
go to sea (13, 14). How much better off I were at home (15-18). There 
even death would have its comforts (19-24). Ye sea-nymphs, daughters 
of Doris, help me now ' (25-28). 

The situation is certainly fictitious. It is folly to treat it as a genuine 
incident in a voyage to Greece. Cf., however, in, 21. 

1. Et merito : the abruptness expresses the poet's excitement. Similarly 
Ovid, 31., vi, 687. nn<l ix, 585. fugisse : cf. Xote on Tib., 1, 1, 29. 

2. desertas . . . alcyonas : cf. also iit. 7. 11, and III, 10, 9, where the 
loneliness of their haunts and the mournf illness of their cries are re- 
ferred to. 

3. Cassiope : a port at the northeast corner of the island of Corcyra. 



174 COMMENTARY. [I, 17, 4-25 ; 

It lay on the route between Brundisium and Greece, and is often referred 
to. Cf. „Cic.j ad Fam., xvi, g, 1, and 19, 1 ; Sueton., Nero, 22 ; and 
Strabo, passim. It is not to be confounded with another town of the 
same name in Epirus, southeast of Corcyra. visura : destined to see. 

4. cadunt : the meaning is the opposite of that in Tib., 11, 2, 17. 

6. increpat : observe the Indie, in the Indirect Question. 

7. placatae . . . procellae : Explanatory Genitive with fortuna. 

8. funus : corpse. Cf. Verg., A., vi, 510, and ix, 491 ; and Prop., iv, 
11, 3. 

11. fata reponere : bury me. fata is used for dead body. Cf. the 
phrase tellure repostos (Verg., A., vi, 665). 

12. sinu : if death had occurred in foreign parts, the urn with the ashes 
was tenderly carried home. Cf. the famous description in Tac, Ann., 
11, 75, of Agrippina bringing home the ashes of Germanicus. If Proper- 
tius were drowned, this would, of course, be impossible. 

14. primus : the most frequently mentioned of the evp-q^ara. Cf. Note 
on Tib., 1, 10, 1. invito : cf. iv, 6, 48 : invito. . .mari. 

15. Possibly in imitation of Verg., B., 11, 14 ff. : nonne fuit satius 
tristis Amaryllidos iras \ atque superba pati fastidia. 

16. quamvis : is rarely used without a verb, as here. rara : cf . 1, 
8, 42. 

18. optatos . . . Tyndaridos : the twin brothers Castor and Pollux, 
whose appearance in the guise of flames at the mast-head (St. Elmo's fire) 
was a sign of good weather. Cf. Plin., N. H., 11, 101 ; Cat., iv, 27 ; 
lxviii, 65; Hor., C, 1, 12, 25 ; iv, 8, 31. 

19. illic : at Rome. fata: death. 

21. crines : the customary offering of a lock of hair at the grave. 

22. tenera . . . rosa : Collective singular and Ablative of Place. 

23. clamasset : a reference to the conclamatio, or custom of calling the 
dead repeatedly by name ; cf. 11, 13, 28. 

24. The line is a paraphrase of the formula found on Roman tomb- 
stones: sit tibi terra levis. non ullo : for nullo. 

25. Doride natae : the Nereids, daughters of Nereus and Doris. Cf. 
Cat., lxiv, 15 : aequoreae. . .Nereides. 

I, 18. 

The poet, alone in the woods, tries to justify himself in Cynthia's eyes. 

' Here at last I may dare to speak (1-4). Where shall I begin, Cynthia, 
and why have you changed toward me? (5-8). Because you think I love 
another ? That is false (9-12). Because I have ever been cruel to you ? 
I never was (13-16). Because you think I do not love you ? The woods 
are my witnesses (17-22). Because I have ever complained ? I have 



IS, 1-31.] PEOPERTIUS. IJ5 

borne all in silence (23-26). And in return the rocks and the woods are 
my portion (27-30), but even so they shall sound your praises ' (31, 32). 

1. querenti : for this Dative of Reference, see Gr. 353 ; A. & Gr. 235, b ; 
B. 188, 2. a. 

2. possidet : similarly Lucan, 11, 454 : cum mave possidet Auster. 

5, 6. Cf. Theocr., IT, 64 ff. : vvv 8tj fiovvv eolaa irbdev top epcora daicpvo-co j e/c 

TLVOS OLp^ix)jJ.aL j 

5. fastus : observe the Plural. 

8. notam : originally the reason given by the censor for his action 
against an individual, in striking his name from the roll of the senate. 

9. crimina : the possible crimina which Cynthia may suppose him to 
have committed are one by one enumerated in 11. 10, 13, 17, and 23. 

11. sic: i.e. on condition of the truth of the statement in the clause 
ut -non altera, etc. 

13. quamvis : followed by the Indicative. See Gr. 606, N. 1 ; A. & G. 
313, g; B. 309, 6. 

14. saeva : Pred. Adj. after venerit. This use of a Predicate Adjec- 
tive after venio and ire is a Propertian mannerism. Cf. 11, 34, 45 : 
tutior ibis ; 11, 34, 81 : venient ingrata. 

15. furor: instead of furori. Cf. 1, 2, 17 : discordia. 

16. lacrimis : cf. Ovid, Am., m, 6, 57: quid fles et madidos lacrimis 
corrumpis ocellos? and Xote on Tib., 1, 1, 52. 

17. mutato colore : cf. Ovid., Am., 11, 7, 9: sive bonus color est, in te 
quoque frigidus esse, seu mains alterius dicor amove mori. 

20. pinus : UItvs ( = pinus), a wood-nymph beloved of Pan (deus Ar- 
cadiae), was changed into a pine-tree to escape his embraces. Cf. Xonn., 
Dionys., xlii. 259. 

22. scribitur : inscvibituv would be necessary in prose. corticibus : 
the carving of names on trees is often mentioned in ancient and mod- 
ern poetry. Cf. Theocr., xvill, 47: ypd/jLfjLara 5' ev 0\oio) yeypd^erat ; 
Verg., B., x, 53 : tenerisque meos incidere amoves \ avbevibus ; Ovid, 
Her,, v, 21 ff. 

23. iniuria : used in love-poetry in an almost technical sense as a 
slight or grievance in love. 

24. quae : neuter, although referring to euros. foribus : personi- 
fied. 

27. pro quo : neuter, as in 1, 9, 34. 

30. dicere : followed by ad in the sense of pleading one's case before. 

31. Cynthia : the name Cynthia, used indeclinably as the object of 
resonent. This seems to be the only case in Latin. Cf. Verg., B., 1, 5 : 
resonave . . . Amavyllida. 



176 COMMENTABY. [I, 19, 1-25; 

I, 19. 

' It is not death that I fear, Cynthia, so much as the loss of your love 
(1-4). My love for you will outlast death, like that of Protesilaus for 
Laodamia (5-10), and in the lower world I shall be true to you (11-20). 
But I fear for your love after I am gone (21-24). Therefore now, while 
life lasts, let us love ' (25, 26). 

1. non ego nunc . . . vereor : cf. 1, 6, 1 : non ego nunc Hadriae vereor, 
and 1, 2, 25 : non ego nunc vereor. 

2. debita fata rogo : the fate that my funeral pyre claims as its right. 

3. careat mini funus : lest I when I am dead should lack, etc. ; funus is 
here not the burial, but rather the condition after death. Cf. iv, n, 3, 
where funera — Manes. 

5. puer : Amor ; cf. 1, 9, 21: pueri. . .arcum. More commonly a de- 
monstrative pronoun is added. Cf. 1, 6, 23: puere iste ; 1, 7, 15: puer ille. 

6. oblito : passive. 

7. Phylacides : Protesilaus, of Phylace in Thessaly, whose love for his 
wife Laodamia was so great that he was allowed to return to earth for 
one day to visit her. At the expiration of the time she killed herself in 
order that she might go back with him. Cf. Ovid, Her., xni. con- 
iugis : Laodamia. 

8. caecis : dark. 

9. falsis : i.e. the hands of a 'shade.' attingere : Infinitive after 
cupidus. Cf. Ovid, 31., xiv, 215 : cupidus. , . moriri. 

11. illic : in the lower world. tua ... imago : he can be nothing 

but a shade, but even that will be Cynthia's. 

13. formosae : cf. 11, 28B, 49: sunt apud infernos tot milia formosa- 
rum. heroinae : on the polysyllabic verse-ending, cf . Note on 11, 
28B, 49. 

14. Dardana praeda : the spoils of Troy. Dardanus was the founder of 
the royal line of Troy. 

16. ita iusta : predicative after sinat ; may earth grant this, on this 
condition just ! 

17. longae : more commonly used of space than of time. 

18. lacrimis . . . meis : cf . Note on 1, 6, 24. 

19. mea . . . fa villa : token I am dead. 

20. amara : directly with mors, not predicative. non ullo loco : 
of no account. Cf. Cic, de Fin., ir, 90 : Socratem, qui voluptatem nullo 
loco numeral. 

25. Cf. Tib., 1, 1, 69: interea, dum fata sinunt, iungamus amoves, 
and Cat., v, 1 : vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus. 



22, 1-9.] PROPERTIUS. 177 

I, 22. 

In the form of a reply to a question of his friend Tullus, the poet 
closes the first book with a brief autobiographical reference. The ques- 
tion is purely fictitious. Tullus presumably knew far more about his life 
than he tells him here. Some three or four years before, Vergil had 
closed his Georgics with an autobiographical touch (67., iv, 560 if., pub- 
lished about B.C. 30). Later, Horace followed their example in the last 
poem of his first book of epistles (published about B.C. 20). Still later, 
Ovid closed his Am.ores (in, 15) and the fourth book of the Tristia (iv, 
10) with a similar envoi. 

l.^qualis: sc. sim. While the omission of the Indicative of the 
copula is common, the omission of the Subjunctive is rare, and only 
justified by the nearness of another Subjunctive, as here. genus : 

Greek Accusative. 

2. quaeris : such supposititious questions are frequent in Propertius. 
Cf. 11, 1, 1 ; 11, 31, 1 ; in, 13, 1 : each one introducing the theme of a 
poem. semper : seems to be used for the adjective on the analogy of 
the Greek. This is sporadic throughout the language. The use of an 
adverb after an attributive as here is Liviah, though never common. 

3. Perusina . . . sepulcra : at Perusia (mod. Perugia) L. Antonius, the 
brother of the triumvir, was defeated by Octavianus in B.C. 41, and the 
town was destroyed. With sepulcra cf. the phrase used of Philippi (11, 
i, 27) : civilia busta. 

4. Italiae . . . funera: cf. 11, 6, 16 : Troiana. . .funera, and Hor., (7., 1, 
8,14: Troiae funera. 

6. pulvis : feminine here and 11,13, 25 ; iv, 9, 31. 

7. proiecta . . . membra : the opposite of conposita membra. propin- 
qui: probably the Gallus of 1, 21, 7. 

9, 10. On the question of Propertius's birthplace, cf. Introd., 28. 
9. contingens : is used absolutely, for it takes the Accusative. campo : 

with proxima. 

11, 1. 

The first book had gained for the poet the patronage of Maecenas, the 
second begins with an apology to his new-found patron for continuing 
to write 01 love, instead of singing the deeds of Maecenas and Augustus. 

' Not Apollo, nor the Muses, but Cynthia, keeps me singing of love, 
for she is ever my inspiration. (1-16). Were I able, I would tell, not the 
stories of gods and heroes, but the triumohs of these latter days, Caesar's 
glories, and thine, Maecenas (17-38). But every man to his own work 

12 



I78 COMMEKTAKY. [II, 1, 

(39-46). Mine is unalterably love (47-56). For love knows no cure (57- 
70). But do thou, Maecenas, pity me at my grave when I am gone ' 

(71-78). 

1. Quaeritis : cf. Note on 1, 22, 2. 

2. mollis . . . liber : cf . Note on 1, 7, 19. 

3. Calliope : representing the Muses in general (^ d£ wpofapeo-T&Tr) £gt[v, 
Hes., Theog.s 79) ; there is no special reference to epic poetry. 

5. incedere : cf. Note on Tib., 11, 3, 52. 

7. Cf. ir, 22, 9: sive vagi crines in frontibus errant. 

9. digitis . . . eburnis : cf. eburnea braccliia, Ovid, Am., in, 7, 7; 
eburnacolla, Ovid, M., nr, 422. The plectrum, probably of ivory, was 
of course used, but there is no reference to it. 

11. somnum : with poscentes. declinat ocellos : shuts her eyes; so 

declinat htmina (Verg., A., iv, 185). 

18. ducere . . . manus : the poet thinks of himself as performing the 
action which he describes. Cf. 11, 34, 63 (where he says of Vergil) : 
Aeneae Troiani suscitat anna. 

19, 20. Ossan Olympo . . . Pelion : the arrangement of the three mountains 
with the largest, Olympus, at- the bottom, then Ossa, and finally Pelion 
on top, would seem to be the natural one (so in Horn., Odyss., xi, 315 ; 
Ovid, Am., 11, 1, 13 ; F., 1, 307, and in, 439). Vergil (G., 1, 281, fol- 
lowed by the author of Aetna, v, 49) has exactly the opposite order. 
Finally, Ovid (M., 1, 152) agrees with Vergil in putting Olympus on top, 
but Ossa forms the bottom. 

20. ut . . . esset : clause of Design. 

21. Thebas : he would not, like Ponticus (1, 7 and 9), write a Thebais. 
Pergama : the plural form Hepyajma (usual in the Greek tragic poets) is 
found again in in, 9, 39. Homer has the singular Hepyafjios. nomen 
Homeri : i.e. the source of Homer's fame. 

22. bina . . . vada: refers to the cutting through of the promontory of 
Mt. Athos by Xerxes (Herod., vn, 22). bina is not used distributively. 

23. Hemi : the regular Gen. of Romulus in the poets, for metrical 
convenience. Cf. also iv, 1, 9 : domus Remi (= the familiar casa 
Romuli), and iv, 6, 80 : signa Remi. 

21. benefacta Mari : his victory in the Raudian fields in B.C. 101, which 
stemmed the tide of the Cimbrian invasion of Italy. 

25. res : the deeds of peace. Caesaris : Augustus. 

26. sub: second only to. Cf. Verg., A., v, 323. 

27. Mutinam: the battle against Antony in B.C. 43, in which the two 
consuls Hirtius and Pansa were killed. Cf. Ovid, Tr., iv, 10, 5: cum 
cecidit fato consul uterque pari. Philippos : the battle, or rather 



1-44.] PKOPERTIUS. 1 79 

battles, of Philippi in B.C. 42, when the 'liberators' Brutus and Cassius 
were crushed. 

28. Siculae classica bella fugae : the putting down of the forces of Sextus 
Pompeius in the naval battles around Sicily. 

29. eversos focos : the siege of Perusia. Cf. Note on i, 22, 3. 

30. Phari f the name of an island (and also of a famous light-house 
upon that island — hence the French word for light-house, phare) in the 
harbor of Alexandria. The reference is to the capture of Alexandria in 
B.C. 30. 

31-34. Augustus's three-fold triumph in B.C. 29. With this descrip- 
tion cf. Verg., A., vm, 714 (on the shield of Aeneas). 

31. Coptum: a town in Egypt, near Thebes. tractus : floats repre- 
senting rivers and mountains in conquered territory formed a part of the 
triumphal procession. Cf. Tac, Ann., n, 41 : vecta spolia captivi simu- 
lacra montium, fluminum, proeliorum, and Note on in, 4, 14. 

32. septem : cf. Note on in, 22, 16. debilis ibat : cf. Verg., A., 
vni, 726 (describing the Euphrates as part of the triumphal procession) : 
ibat iam mollior undis. 

34. Sacra . . . Via : the procession descended the Sacra Via into the 
Forum and passed from there up the Clivus Capitolinus to the temple of 
Iuppiter Optimus Maxinius. 

36. caput: heart. Cf. iv, 11, 55: dulce caput: sweetheart. Cor, on 
the contrary, often means head, e.g. Gell., N. A., xvn, 17, 1, and the 
Corculum of the prudent Scipio Nasica. Cf. also Pers., vi, 10. 

37, 38. The friendship of Augustus and Maecenas is compared to two 
classic examples of friendship. 

37. infernis : the inhabitants of the lower world. Cf. n, 28c, 49 : apud 
infernos. testatur : attest. 

38. hie : Theseus. Ixioniden : Peirithous, son of Ixion. ille : 
Achilles. Menoetiaden : Patroclus, son of Menoetius. 

39. neque . . . intonet : ivould not peal forth. Phlegraeos . . . tumul- 
tus : the Gigantomachia in the campi Phlegraei (r& ^\eypa?a wedia), local- 
ized sometimes in Thrace, near the promontory of Pallene ; sometimes 
in Campania. Enceladi : the giant who is usually represented as the 
adversary of Athene. 

40. Callimaclius : proverbially hostile to the inflated epic. Cf. Introd., 
6, Note, and Prop., 11, 34, 32. 

41. duro : cf. Note on 1, 7, 19. versu : Ablative of Manner. 

42. Pbrygios . . . avos : possibly in reference to the Aeneid, upon which 
Vergil was at work at this time. Cf. 11, 34, 61. condere : after 
eonveniunt, to celebrate. ' 

44. numerat : tells the number of. 



ISO COMMENTARY. [II, i, 45-78; 

45. angusto . . . lecto : cf. i, 8b, 33. 

46, Cf. Aristoph., Wasps, 1431: epbot tls $ji> eKaaros ddeir) rex^w ; and 
Cic, Tusc, I, 41 : quam quisquenorit artem, in hac se exerceat. con- 
terat . . . diem : cf . i, 7, 9. 

48. solus : cf . n, 7, 19 : placeam tibi, Cynthia, solus. 

51. novercae . . . Phaedrae : Phaedra conceived an unholy passion for 
her stepson Hippolytus. That she attempted to win his love by the use 
of love-potions (pocula) is not elsewhere related. 

52. suo: Phaedra is the logical, though not the grammatical subject of 
the sentence. See G. 309, 2; A. & G. 196, c; B. 244, 4; H. 50, 3, 2. 

53. Circaeo . . . gramine : the kclkcl (pap/maica (Horn., Odyss., x, 212) of 
Circe, by which she produced her metamorphoses. est . . . urat : ob- 
serve the change of Mood. 

54. Colchis : Medea, whose home was at Colchis. Iolciacis . . . focis : 
Iolcus was a town in Thessaly where Medea rejuvenated Aeson, the father 
of Jason by boiling him in a cauldron. 

58. With the form of the line, cf. 1, 2, 8 : nudus Amor formae non 
habet artificem ; with the sentiment, cf. Tib., 11, 3,14: quidquid erat 
medicae vicerat artis amor. 

59-64. Four instances of remarkable cures : the first two occupy a line 
each, the second two a couplet each. 

59. tarda : lame, like (Bpadtis. Cf. Cat., xxxvi, 7, where Vulcan is 
called tardives. Machaon : son of Aesculapius, who cured the lame 
Philoctetes, enabling him to take part in the war against Troy and bring 
death to Paris. 

60. Chiron : the Centaur, son of Kronos and the Naiad Phillyra (hence 
Phillyrides ; cf. Pind., Pyth., 111, 1 : QCKvpibav), who restored the eyesight 
of Phoenix, the companion of Achilles. 

61. Cressis . . . herbis : cf. Verg., A., vn, 769: Paeoniis . . . herbis. 
Epidaurius : the god of Epidaurus, Aesculapius, brought to life An- 
drogeos, son of Minos of Crete. 

63. Mysus . . . iuvenis : Telephus, king of Mysia, wounded by the spear 
of Achilles (Haemonia cuspide), was restored by the rust from the spear 
which had wounded him. Cf. Plin., N, H., xxv, 42 ; Ovid, Am., ir, 
9, 7, and the oracle of Apollo, quoted by Apollodorus, Epit., in, 17: 
orav 6 Tpdxras larpbs yevr)Tai. 

65-70. A physician who could cure love would be able to undo all the 
punishments of the gods. Three such punishments are mentioned, each 
in a couplet. 

66. maim: Dative ; cf. Note on 1, 11, 12. 

67. virgineis: i.e. of the Danaids, who as punishment for the killing 
of their husbands were condemned to fill a bottomless cask with water 



2, 1-6.] PROPERTIUS. l8l 

carried in their urnb. repleverit : the tense seems to indicate a suc- 

cessful performance of this impossible task. 

69. solvet : with de is poetical and post-Augustan. In prose, liberare 
would be used. Promethei : fastened to a cliff in the Caucasus, 

where an eagle devoured his ever-growing liver. 

71. quandocumque igitur : the same words are used in a similar connec- 
tion in ii, 13, 17. reposcent : in the sense of demanding as one's 
due. Cf. Lucr., 11, 369 : quod natura reposcit. 

73. invidiosa : i.e. arousing the envy of others. 

75. proxima busto : ancient tombs were generally situated on the road- 
side ; cf. the Appian Way. 

76. esseda : a luxurious travelling carriage used especially by women. 
Cf. Ovid, Am., 11, 16, 49. Britanna: poetical for Britannica. 

77. mutae . . . favillae : cf. Tib., 11, 6, 34 and Xote. 

78. Cf. Theocr. , xxiii, 46 : ' tovtov e'pws eKreivev.' fatum : for fat 0, 
cf. 1, 14, 18. 

11,2. 

'Her beauty has made me her slave again (1, 2). Juppiter, she were fit 
for thee ! (3, 4). She is like Juno or Pallas Athene, like the goddesses 
and heroines of ancient story (5-14). May time work no change in her ! ' 
(5-16). 

1. Liber: fancy-free. Cf. vacuus, e.g. in Hor., C. 1, 32, 1 : siquid vacui 
sub umbra lusimus. 

2. conposita : made up, in the sense of feigned. 

4. furta : the stolen sweets of love, a common use of the word in erotic 
poetry. Cf. Prop., 11, 30, 28: antiqui dulcia furta Iovis ; Cat., lxviii, 
136 and 140 : furta Iovis ; Verg,, 6?., iv, 346 ; Tib., 1, 2, 34 ; Ovid. , M., 1, 
UKS : ;\}<i) Til)., tv. 5, 7 and Xote. 

5. fulva : auburn. Propertius stands alone among the poets of his day 
in his praise of the fulva coma and his opposition to the flava coma (cf. 
Prop., 11, i8b, 26 : iurpis Romano Belgicus ore color), or artificially 
colored ' golden ' hair, which was the fashion of the time. This flava coma 
was possessed by Catullus's Berenice (Cat., lxvi, 62), by Vergil's Dido (A., 
iv, 698), by Tibullus's Delia (Tib., 1, 5, 44); and in Horace, Pyrrha (C, 1, 5, 
3), Phyllis (C, 11, 4, 14), Chloe (C, m, 9, 19), and Ganymedes (C, iv, 4, 4) 
all have it. longae . . . manus : long, tapering fingers were regarded 
as beautiful. Witness the statuary, and Prop., ni, 7, 60; Cat., xl, 2, where 
the unfortunate woman who lacks all the essentials of beauty is said to 
be nee longis digit is. 

6. incedit vel love digna soror : cf. Verg., A., 1, 46: ast ego quae divum 
incedo regina Iovisque \ et soror et coniunx. 



182 COMMENTAKY. [11,2,7-16; 

7. Munychias ... ad aras : in the month of Munichion (April) Athene 
was worshipped at the Peiraeus under the appellation of Moimxta. Cf. 
Preller Robert, Griech. Myth., I, p. 312, 2. 

8. G-orgonis anguiferae : the aegis, with its fringe of snakes and the 
Gorgoneion in the centre. 

9. Ischomache : the bride of Peirithous, elsewhere called Hippodamia. 
At their wedding the famous quarrel of the Centaurs and the Lapithae 
arose. 

11. Boebeidos : a lake in Thessaly near Pherae. 

12. Brimo : a goddess akin to Hecate or Persephone, worshipped at 
Pherae. 

13. divae: Plera, Athene, and Aphrodite, the three goddesses concerned 
in the famous judgment of Paris. pastor: Paris. 

14. tunicas ponere : a decadent Alexandrian addition to the older purer 
myth. 

16. Cumaeae . . . vatis : the Sibyl. 

11,3- 

' I have failed because I have tried the impossible — to cease to love 
thee (1-8). It is not thy beauty alone (9-16), but thy grace in dance and 
song and verse that makes me thine (17-22). For thou art more than 
human, a daughter of the gods, a second Helen, for whom, as of yore, 
the world will go to war (23-40), a fortune even to him who paints thee ' 
(41-44). 

2. haesisti : you are stuck, caught ; a thoroughly colloquial use, frequent 
in Plautus and Terence. cecidit spiritus : wide has had a fall, 

4. turpis : to my shame. 

5. 6. Cf. Verg., B., i, 59, 60: ante leves ergo pascentur in aequore cervi, 
et freta destituent nudos in litore pisces. si : is seldom used to in- 
troduce an Indirect Question except after verbs of Trial. See G. 460, b. 

6. nee solitus : = et non solitus = et insolitus. Cf . n, 28b, 52 : nee 
proba = et non proba = et inproba. 

7. studiis : Dative after vigilare ; a rare use. 

10. Maeotica nix : snow from the sea of Azov. 

13. comae per . . . colla fluentes : the fashionable (de more) way of wear- 
ing the hair; cf. iv, 6, 31, the coiffure of the Apollo Citharoedus, and 
Am., in, 9, 11, that of Cupid. 

14. sidera nostra: cf. Ovid, Am., u, 6, 44 : per que oculos, sidera nostra 
titos faces: cf. Tib., iv, 2, 5. 

15. siqua : sc. via : in any fashion. Others take siqud pnella together: 
nor she nor any other. Arabio : cf. Note on 1, 14, 19. 



3, 2-43 ; 5, 1-3.] PROPERTIUS. 1 83 

17. posito . . . Iacch.0 : when the wine has been served; cf. Ovid, A. A., 
in, 349: posito. . .mero; and Pers., i. 53. Iacchus ("Ia/cxos), an appella- 
tion of Bacchus, is used by metonymy for wine ; cf. 1, 3, 9: motto Baccho, 
and Verg., B., vi, 15: hesterno Iaccho. 

18. Ariadna : her cult, both in her relation to Theseus and to Dionysus, 
was always connected with dancing. 

19. Aeolio : with its associations of Sappho. 

20. par : is best taken as Nominative, though it may possibly be Ac- 
cusative after ludere, i.e. ludere parem ludum. Aganippeae: Aga- 
nippe was a spring on Mount Helicon in Boeotia, the home of the Muses, 
ludere : Explanatory Infinitive with docta. 

21. Corinnae : a poetess of Tanagra in Boeotia, fifth century B.C. Ovid 
chose her name as a pseudonym for his mistress. 

22. quae quivis : sc. suis aequo, putat. 

24. sternuit : sneezing was regarded as a good omen. Cf. Theocr., tii, 
96 : ^LfjLixLdg. /jlev epures eweirTapov ; Cat., xlv, 9 : Amor sinistra ut ante 
dexira sternuit approbationern ; and the story in Xen., Anab., in, 9. 

30. Romana : emphatic. It had often' fallen to the lot of Greek 
maidens. 

34. hac : on her account, rather than on account of Helen. 

35. Pergama : cf . Note on 11, 1. 21. 

37, 38. Cf. Ovid, A. A., in, 253 : Helene quam non stulte, Henelae, re- 
poscis, I tuquoque, non stulte, Troice raptor, habes. 

38. lentus : stubborn. 

40. Priamo : the opposition to the war on the part of Priam's party is 
mentioned II., in, 156. 

41. tabulas . . . vetustas : the ivories of the old masters. Such a painter 
as Apelles would be an ' old master ' to Propertius. 

42. exemplo : for a model. 

43. Ovid's praise of G-allus (Am., r, 15, 29) is possibly a recollection of 
this passage, Gallics et Hesperiis et G alius notus Eois. 

11, 5 . 

The poet, driven to desperation, determines to leave Cynthia and love 
another (1-8). He encourages himself to do it at once, for it is now or 
never (9-16). But instead he turns again to Cynthia, and attempts to 
bring her back to faithfulness by threats of showing her up to the world 
in his poetry (17-30). 

1. te ferri : you are the talk of, etc. 

2. nequitia : faithlessness, inconstancy. 

3. sperare : to expect, used in a colorless sense. Cf. Verg., A., tv. 419: 



1 84 COMMENTARY. [II, 5, 8-30; 

hunc ego si potui sperare dolor em. poenas : the punishment is in- 

dicated in 11. 27 and 28. 

8. vellicet: taunt. This metaphorical use of the word is colloquial. 

11. Carpathiae . . . undae : the southern part of the Aegean sea. 

12. imbes vertitur atra Noto : cf. Ovid, Her., in, 58 : nubiferis. . .notis. 

16. si patiare : see G. 601. 

17. Iunonis : patron-goddess of the union of man and woman, whether 
in wedlock or outside of it. 

18. parce . . . nocere : par cere with the Infinitive is not found in classi- 
cal prose. 

21-24. With this passage cf. Tib., 1, 10, 59-63. 

21, 22. scindam . . . fregerit : observe the accuracy of the tenses. 

26. hederae: the symbol of the poet. Cf. Hor. , C, 11, 29 : doctarum 
hederae praemia frontium, and Verg., B., vn, 25 : pastor es, hedera cres- 
centem ornate poetam. 

27. tua . . . aetas : you, as long as you live. 

28. forma potens : cf. in, 20, 7: est tibi forma potens. 

30. pallori : is an extension of the use of the Dative For Which. 

II, 6. 

' No lover ever had so many rivals (1-6). My jealousy is forever being 
aroused (7-14). The quarrels of love have always been a bane to the 
world (15-22). Blessed were the good old days (23, 24). But now morals 
and religion are alike decayed (25-36). Guards avail nothing when one 
wills to sin (37-40) — yet, Cynthia, I shall always be true to you ' (41, 42). 

1-6. Cynthia's popularity is compared to that of three historic char- 
acters. 

1. Ephyreae Laidos : Lais of Corinth (Corinth = 'Ecpvp-rj in Homer, 21. , vi, 
152 and 210), among whose lovers were Diogenes and Aristippus. 

3. Menandreae . . . Thaidos : Thais of Athens, beloved by Alexander. 
She is called Menandrea, because a famous comedy of Menander was 
named after her. 

4. Erichthonius : Athenian. Erichthonius was the autochthonous hero 
of Athens. 

5. deletas . . . Thebas : Phryne offered to rebuild Thebes, which had 
been destroyed by Alexander. Cf. Athen., xiii, 591d. 

6. Phryne : beloved by the orator Hypereides, and probably also by the 
sculptor Praxiteles. viris : Ablative. The preposition is omitted 
because they are thought of as means rather than as agents. 

8. oscula . . . iure ferant : the right of giving and receiving kisses among 
relatives {ins osculi) was carefully defined by Roman law. Polybius, vi, 



6, 1-41 ; io, 1, 2.] PROPERTIUS. 1 85 

2, 7, gives the limits : (tt)v yvvalKa) cpCKelv dec roi)s (Tvyyeveis, tovs eavTrjs 
Kal roi)s rod avdpbs ews i^avexpicov. 

10. voce : here used as equivalent to articulate speech ; sine voce = in- 
fans. 

12. me soror : sc. laedit. cum quae = si quae. 

16. Troiana . . . funera : cf. r, 22, 4 : Italiae. . .funera. 

17, 18. Cf. Xote on it, 2, 9. 

17. aspera : with pocula. 

18. in adversum : full in the face. 

20. duro . . . lacte : cf. iv, 4, 53 : inhumanae dura papilla lupae. 

21. rapere . . . Sabinas : the rape of the Sabine women. Cf. Li v., 1, 9. 
23. Admeti coniunx : Alcestis, who offered her life for her husband. 

lectus TTlixis: i.e. Penelope, often mentioned by Propertius as a typi- 
cal example of chastity. Cf. 11, 9, 3 ; m, 12, 28 ; in, 13, 34 ; iv, 5, 7. 

25. templa Pudicitiae : of temples of Pudicitia we hear nothing apart 
from this reference, but there was an altar in the Vicus Longus. Cf. 
Liv., x, 23, 6, and Iuv., yi, 308. 

27. obscaenas : voluptuous. prima : on the evprjimra, cf. Xote on 

Tib., i, 10, 1. 

29. ilia: sc. manus. 

30. nequitiae : dalliance. 

35, 36. The dilapidated condition of the temples at Rome at the begin- 
ning of Augustus's reign may be seen in the fact that Augustus restored 
eighty-two of them. Cf. Mon. Ancyr., iv, 17. For this, Livy (iv, 20, 7) 
calls him templorum omnium conditor aut restitutor. 

39, 40. Cf. Seneca de Matrimonio (Sen., Op., in, p. 429, Haase) : quid 
prodest enim diligens custodia cum uxor servari inpudica non possit, 
pudica non debeat ? ...ilia vere pudica dicenda .est, cuicum Itcuit, 
peccare noluit. 

41. uxor : possibly a reference to the marriage regulation of Augustus, 

II, 10. 

*It is time to rise to higher themes (1-12), to sing of Caesar's victories 
(13-18). May the fates let me live to accomplish that ; but meantime, 
with my songs of love let me pay him what honor I can ' (19-26). 

A reply to a request for an epic. The poet apparently accedes, but 
only iu the end to postpone the task for the present and to continue with 
his love-poetry. 

1. Helicona : a mountain in Boeotia, the proverbial home of the Muses. 

2. campum . . . dare : darefrena. Haemonio : Thessalian. Thessaly 
was famed for its horses. 



1 86 COMMENTARY. [II, 10, 3-26 ; 

3. fortes ... ad proelia : this pregnant use of ad is found again in iv, 
2, 29 : sobrius ad lites. 

4. dicere : to tell of, poetical. ducis : Augustus. 

6. voluisse: cf. Ovid, P., in, 4, 79: ut desint vires, tamen est lau- 
danda voluptas. 

7. tumultus : used in a general sense, synonymous with bella (cf. it, i, 
39). There is no special reference to its technical meaning of a rising 
in Gaul or Italy (cf. Cic, Phil., vm, 1, 2). 

8. quando : as though it were quandoquidem. 

9. subducto . . . vultu : with lifted brows. 

12. magni . . . oris : a phrase descriptive of exalted expression. Cf. 
Verg., O., in, 294: magno nunc ore sonandum ; Hor., S., 1, 4, 44: os 
magna sonaturum ; Hor., A. P., 323 : os rotundum ; Hor., C, iv, 2, 6: 
prof undo Pindarus ore, 

13. equitem : Collective Singular. 

14. Crassos : M. Crassus and his son Publius, who were defeated by 
the Parthians at Carrhae in B.C. 53. This defeat, with the humiliating 
loss of the Roman standards, forms the dramatic background for the lit- 
erature of the Augustan age until B.C. 20, when Augustus succeeded in 
regaining them. 

15. India: Augustus's relations to India seem to have been confined to 
the reception of an embassy from there in b c. 26. 

16. intactae . . . Arabiae : a reference to the proposed expedition of 
Aelius Gallus, which resulted most disastrously, in b.c 25-24. For the 
quantity of the first a in Arabia, cf. Note on 1, 14, 19. 

17. extremis . . . oris : by virtue of its distance. tellus : Britain. 
The expedition of Augustus, undertaken in the summer of b.c 27, got 
only as far as GauL Hence the post modo of 1. 18. The poem was 
written after the summer of b.c 27, when the expedition against Britain 
failed, and before b.c 25, when the Arabian expedition met with dis- 
aster. This agrees with the other chronological reference in the book. 
Cf. 11, 34, 91 and Note. 

23. conscendere : Explanatory Infinitive with inopes. 

25. Ascraeos : Ascra, a village in Boeotia, was the birthplace of Hesiod. 

26. Permessi : a small stream near Ascra. He seems to contrast the 
lofty epic of Hesiod, who drank at the source (fontes), with his own hum- 
ble love-poetry, whose inspiration was derived from the little brook of 
Permessus. Cf., however, M. Rotlistein in Hermes, xxiv, 21 ff., and E. 
Maass in Hermes, xxxi, 379 rf. 



ii, 2-6 ; 12, 1-17.] PROPEKTIUS. 1 87 

II, 11. 

A broken bit, which one of the manuscripts and some of the editors 
have without good reason joined to the preceding poem. 

2. sterili semina ponit humo : proverbial for a fruitless task. Cf. Sen., 
de Bene fie, 1, 1, 2: semina in- solum effectual et sterile non spargimus ; 
Ovid, H., v, 115: quid arenae semina mandas ; and in Greek: irerpas 
(TireLpeLv, and Theogn., 106 : cnreipeiv ttovtov d\6s tto\l7]s. 

3. munera : they are referred to in 11, 3, 25, and enumerated at length 
in 1, 2, 27 if. 

6. docta puella : cf. 11, 13. 11, and the Note on Tib., it, 6, 2. 

II, 12. 

'He was a clever painter who conceived of Love as a boy (1-4), and 
gave him wings (5-8), and armed him with arrows (9-12). The Love 
that I know is a boy, too, and has arrows, but he must have lost his 
wings (13, 14) ; for he never flies away, but abides, to my destruction 
(15-20). But who will sing of him when I am gone ? ' (21-24). 

The three attributes of Amor here described recur often in Greek 
poetry. Cf. Anth. Pal., v, 177 : eVrt 5' birah . . . wTepoets v&tol (paper po<popos. 
Quintilian (Inst. Orat.. 11, 4, 26) gives as a theme for a school-composi- 
tion : quid ita crederetur Cupido puer atque volucer et sagittis ac face 
armatus. 

I. Quicumque : the evperrjs; cf. Note on Tib., 1, 10, 1. puerum : 
emphatic, the first of the three attributes. 

3. sine sensu : Theocr., x, 19. calls "JZpios deppovrta-ros. 

4. levibus curis : trifling affairs, i.e. love-affairs. 

5. non frustra : not ivithout good reason. The same verse-ending oc- 
curs in Verg., A., xn, 848 : ventosasque addidit alas. 

6. humano corde : Love is like a bird in a cage. Others explain the 
phrase as an Ablative of Quality with deum. 

8. nostra: favorable. 

10. Gnosia : Cretan. Kvuaos, situated near the coast, about the mid- 
dle of the north side of Crete, was the ancient capital. utroque : the 
quiver was carried on the back, suspended from both shoulders. 

II. tuti : predicate in meaning — thinking ourselves safe. 
12. sanus: cf. 11, 1, 57, 58. 

17. siccis : Theocr., ir, 55, describes Love as a leech sucking at the 
heart's blood. medullis : cf. Mosch., 11, 17 : ("Epws) iirl cnrXdyxvoLS 

de KdOrjTcu. 



1 88 COMMENTARY. [IT, 12, 18-23 ; 13, 1-14; 

18-20. tela tua umbra mea : observe the position. 

20. tenuis . . . umbra : a feature of the conventional make-up of the love- 
poet. Cf . ij 5, 21 : nee iam pallorem totiens mirabere nostrum aut cur 
sim toto corpore nullus ego ; 11, 22, 21 : sed tibi si exiles videor tenu- 
atus in artus. vapulat : a word rarely used in serious poetry. 

23. digitos . . . lumina : Cynthia's hands are praised in 11, 2, 5, and her 
eyes in 1, 1, and 11, 3, 14. 

II, 13. 

' Love has transfixed me with his arrows and bidden me write (1-4). 
Yet my writing is only to please Cynthia (5-8). Therefore Cynthia's 
praise is all that I seek ' (9-16). 

I. Achaemeniis : Persian. Achaemenes was the founder of the 
famous line of Persian kings, the Achaemenidae. Susa : an impor- 
tant city of Persia. The whole line may be a faint reference to the 
troubles with the Parthians, which were threatening at this date. 

3. graciles : possibly a reference to the genus gracile or molle, i.e. love- 
poetry, as contrasted with the genus forte or durum, epic-poetry. Cf. 
Quintil., xii, 10, 36 : non possumus esse tarn graciles, simus fortioi°es. 

4. Ascraeum : cf. Note on 11. 10, 25. habitare : transitive. In 
classical prose the transitive use is confined to the passive. 

5. 6. The effect of Orpheus's music on trees and wild beasts is repeat- 
edly referred to. Cf. Verg., 67., iv, 510: mulcentem tigris et agentem 
carmine quercus ; Hor., C, in, 11, 13: tu potes tigris comitesque silvas 
ducere; Hor., A. P., 392 ff. ; Prop., in, 2, 1. 

5. Pieriae: of the two regions of this name known to the ancient 
world, one in Thessaly near Mount Olympus and one less well known in 
Thrace near Amphipolis, the latter is probably meant, because the 
Orpheus legend was localized in Thrace rather than in Thessaly. 

6. Ismaria : Mount Ismarus, in Thrace, west of the mouth of the 
Hebrus. 

8. Inachio . . . Lino : another famous mythical musician, Linos of Argos. 
(Tnachus was a legendary king of Argos, the eponymous hero of the 
river Inachus.) 

9. honestae : handsome, comely ; cf. Ter., And 122: er at forma prae- 
ter ceteras honesta. 

II. doctae . . . puellae : cf. 11, 11, 6; and Note on Tib., iv, 6, 2. 
legisse: cf. Note on Tib., 1, 1, 29. 

12. auribus . . .puris : cf. Hor., Ep., 1, 1, 7 : purgatam . . .aurem. 

13. valeto: x at P e ' TW ; cf. Theocr., xvi, 64. 

14. fabula : town-talk ; cf. 11, 32, 26 : semper formosis fabida poena fuit. 



13/;, 17-33.] PR0PERT1US. 1 89 

II, 13B. 

An altogether independent elegy. The poet gives directions for his 
funeral (17-32) and for his tornb (33-38), and asks Cynthia to be true to 
him after his death (39-42). In his despondency he wishes he had died 
long ago (43-50). But he hopes, when he is gone, she will sometimes 
weep for him (51-58). 

17. Quandocumque igitur : cf. 11, 1, 71. igitur is used like ergo. 

18. funeris acta mei : the dispositions for my funeral. acta or man- 
data was a technical phrase; cf. Cic, Phil., 11, passim : acta Caesaris; 
Suet., Aug., 101 : mandata de funeresuo. For acta, properly used after 
a man was dead, we should naturally expect agenda here, as spoken by 
the living. 

19. longa . . . imagine = longa imaginum serie. The wax masks of the 
forefathers formed a regular part of the funeral procession (po?npa) of 
those whose ancestors had held a curule office, and thus obtained for the 
family the ins imaginum. 

21. lectus : sc. funebris, the bier. 

22. Attalico . . . toro : a couch-covering with gold embroidery, the in- 
vention of which was attributed to the court of Attalus of Pergamon. 
Cf. in, 18, 19: Attalicas. . .vestes, and 11,32, 19: auleis. . .Attalicis. 
mors mea : my dead body ; cf. e.g. Cic, Mil., 86 : mortem eius lacerari. 
It may, however, mean, in Propertian style, i", ivhen I am dead. Cf. 
nostrae vitae, 1, 2, 31. 

24. A very tautological line : plebeius — parvus, funus — exequiae. 
Cf. 1, 16, 24 : frigidaque eoo me dolet aura gelu. 

25. tres . . . libelli : these words have been wrongly used as an argument 
in favor of the five-book division of Propertius ; cf . Introd. , Note on 28. 
But libelli need not necessarily refer to the poet's own productions; they 
may be merely books from his library, which he wishes to have burned 
with his body. Even if they are his own writings, ' three ' is a purely 
conventional number, meaning 'a few.' 

27. lacerata : used in a reflexive sense. 

28. vocare : cf. Xote on 1, 17, 23. 

30. Syrio : i.e. imported into Rome by way of the Syrian town of 
Antioch. Cf. Tib., 1, 3, 7. onyx: a vase for perfume, made of alabas- 

ter. Cf. Plin., N m H., xxxvi, 60 : lapidem alabastritem quern cavant et 
ad vasa unguentaria quoniam opt i me servare incorrupta dicatur. 

32. Manes : equivalent here and in 1. 37 to cineres. Cf. Verg., A., 
iv, 34 and 427. 

33. laurus : sacred to Apollo, and so symbolic of a poet. 



IQO COMMENT AEY. [II, 13^ 34-57; 

34. umbra : in explanatory opposition to quae. 

# 35, 36. Cf. the epitaph in Theocr., xxin, 46 : yp&\pov kclI rode ypdfxfxa rb 

(TOLS TOLXOIGL X a P&& ' TOVTOV "EpOOS €KT€LV€V.'' 

35. pulvis : cf. note on 1, 22, 6. 

38. Phthii busta . . . viri : at the tomb of Achilles (vir Phthius, because 
he was born at Phthia in Thessaly) his son Neoptolemus sacrificed 
Priam's daughter Polyxena. Cf. Ovid, 31., xm, 448 fi°. 

40. lapides . . . memores : the monument that keeps the memory of him 
alive. 

41. sis . . . aspernata : the Perfect is very unusual ; go so far as to spurn. 

42. ad verum . . . sapit : has some inkling of truth, lit. is conscious in 
the direction towards truth — when it comes to truth. 

43. ponere = deponere. 

46. tria saecla: cf. Horn., 11., I, 250 fl. : rf 5' 77^77 5tio /mei/ yeveal ixepbiruv 
avd pdoir ojv etydiad' 1 . . . fxera 5e rpiraroiGiv b\va.o~o~ev. 

48. Gallicus = Phrygius = Troicus. Gallus was the name of a river 
in Phrygia. Cf. Oalli, the priests of the Phrygian Cybele. 

49. Antilochi: Nestor's son, slain by Memnon. (Odyss., iv, 188. Ac- 
cording to Ovid, Her., 1, 15, Hector was his slayer.) Horace (C, 11, q, 
13 ff.) speaks of Nestor's grief : at non ter aevo functus amabilem 
ploravit omnis Antilochum senex annos. 

50. diceret : this Imperfect (coupled with the vidisset of the preceding 
line) may best be accounted for by considering it as opposed to a Uni- 
versal Present, as the words were everlasting in literature. 

52. praeteritos : olxo^evovs. 

53. niveum . . . Adonem : cf. Bion, Upit. Ad., 1. 10 : x L0V ^ as • • • vaptos ; 
11. 24, 25 : fJLafoi xibveoi. 

54. Idalio vertice : a mountain in Cyprus. 

56. effusa . . . coma : cf. Bion, 1. c, 1. 17: a 5' ' A<ppo5ira \vcrap.eva TrXoKapudas. 

57. mutos . . . Manes*: cf. 11, 1, 77 and Note. 

II, 19. 

To Cynthia, who has gone to the country. 

' I am sorry you have gone, Cynthia ; but I am glad it is to the quiet of 
the country, where there is nothing to tempt you to err (1-16). I, too, 
will away to the country for a little hunting (17-26). I hope to be with 
you shortly; meantime I am thinking of you ' (27-32). 

There is a flavor of Tibullus about this poem. The praises of the 
country belong properly to him. 

2. sine me : emphatic : seeing that I am not there to look after you. 
5, 6. nulla neque . . .nee : for the more usual nulla. . .aid. . .aut. 



ig, 2-31; 27, 1-7.] PEOPERTIUS. I9I 

7. spectabis : they are to be her spectacula. 

9. ludi : especially recommended to the lover's attention by Ovid, A. A., 
1, 133: theatra nunc quoque formosis insidiosa manent. 

10. fana: for temples as places of rendezvous, cf. Ovid, A. A., 1, 67 ; 
in, 387; and Iuv., ix, 22. This abuse is frequently mentioned in patris- 
tic literature. 

11. tauros spectabis arantes : a country substitute for the city ludi. 

13. sacello : the wayside shrine takes the place of the fana of the city. 

16. externo : the simple peasants do not matter, but beware of city 
people. 

17. Dianae : as patroness of the chase. 

19. reddere piim cornua : it was customary to dedicate to Diana some 
part of the spoil, generally the antlers of a stag, by attaching them to a 
tree. Cf. Schol. to Aristoph., Plut., 944; and Verg., B., vh, 29 : saetosi 
caput hoc apri tibi, Delia ! (= Diana). 

21. vastos . . . leones: cf. Manil., v, 702 : vastos hones. 

24. calamo : aucupatorio, a lime-twig for snaring birds. 

25. Clitumnus : a branch of the Tiber in Umbria, near Propertius's 
birthplace. luco : the river banks were lined with trees. Cf . Pliny's 
memorable description of it (Bp., vin, 8, 4) : ripae fraxino multa, multa 
populo vestiuntur quas perspicuus amnis velut mersas viridi imagine 
adnumerat {repeats in every detail). 

28. Luciferis : days. Cf. Tib., 1, 3, 94. 

31. adsidua . . . lingua : possibly a reference to the superstition of re- 
peating the name of a person as a means of keeping control over him in 
his absence. tua nomina : thy full name. 

II, 27. 

' Other men, knowing not how or when they shall die, are always fear- 
ful of death (1-10) ; but the lover's future is fixed, for his life and his 
death are in the hands of her whom he loves ' (11-16). 

1. vos : contrasted with amans, 1. 11. funeris : death. 

3. caelo . . . sereno : under the clear sky. Phoenicum inventa : astrol- 

ogy, the discovery of which is here ascribed to the Phoenicians (cf. also 
Strabo, xvi, 2, 24 ; Plin., N. H., v, 67), is more often attributed to the 
Chaldeans or the Egyptians. 

5. Parthos . . . Britannos : Home's chief enemies, often mentioned to- 
gether in Horace, e.g. C, 1, 21, 15 : Persas atque Britannos ; C, 111, 5, 
2 : adiectis Britannis imperio, gravibusque Per sis ; C, iv, 14, 42. 

7. tumultum : cf . Note on 11, 10, 7. 



I92 COMMENTARY. [II, 27, 8-16; 

8. dubias : because the action is uncertain. Mars is himself called 
dubius in Verg., G\, 11, 283. 

9. nammam . . . ruinas : sc. timetis. The same two causes of fear in 
Cat., xxiii, 8 : nihil timetis, non incendia, non graves ruinas. 

10. pocula nigra: poisons. Cf. Verg., A., iv, 514: nigri veneni ; Q., 
11, 130 : atra venena. 

13. arundine : this growth of rushes and sedge was a fixed element in 
the ancient concept of the banks of the Styx and the Cocytus. Cf . Verg., 
6r., iv, 478 : deformis arundo Cocyti ; andPaus., x, 28, 1 (in his descrip- 
tion of Polygnotus's painting of the Nekyia, at Delphi) : vdwp chcu 
TrorafJLos €OtK€, dijXa ojs 6 Axepc^, KaXa/JLot re ev avrco Tre<pvKOTes. remex : 
i.e. the lover. 

14. infernae . . . ratis : Charon's skiff. 

16. nulla lege: cf. Cat., in, 12 : illuc unde negant redire quemquam ; 
and Theocr., XVII, 120 : odev iraXiv ovk4tl vocttos. 

II, 28. 

1 Juppiter, have mercy upon her in her illness ! (1-4). Her pride and 
vainglory have brought it to her (5-14). May peace come to her as it 
did to the suffering heroines of old ! (15-24). But even in death she would 
have her reward (25-30). Yet there is still hope, if Juppiter help ' (31-34). 
The first of a cycle of three poems (xxvin, xxviiib, xxviiic), recount- 
ing Cynthia's illness, its aggravation, and her recovery. For other ex- 
amples of such a group of poems, cf. the introduction to 1, 8b. 

1. adfectae : sc. morbo. 

2. Imitated by Ovid, Am., n, 11, 35 : vestrum crimen erit talis iactura 
paellae. 

4. sicco . . . Cane : cf. Tib., 1, 4, 6 : aestivi tempora sicca canis. 

8. ventus et unda : cf. Cat., lxx, 4 : in vento et rapida scribere oportet 
aqua, and Note on Prop., 1, 8, 12. 

9. per aeque : uniformly, tvitJiout distinction. 

11. Iunonis . . . Pelasgae : "Hpa HeXatryLs, but the epithet is merely orna- 
mental, and is used without particular force. 

12. oculos: the yXavKcowLs 'Adrjvr). bonos : beautiful, good-looking. 

13. nostis : the Infinitive after noscere is noticeable. 

17. Io : cf . Note on 1, 3, 20. 

18. bibit : poetical for dwells by. Cf. Verg., B., 1, 63 : aut Ararim 
Parthus bibet, aut Germania Tigrim. 

19. Ino: daughter of Cadmus, who sprang from a cliff into the sea. 
As a sea-goddess she was called Leucothea (here and in 11, 26, 10, Leu- 
cothoe). 



23, 1-33; iU, 35-43.] PROPERTIUS. I93 

21. Andromede : daughter of Ccpheus and Cassiopeia, who was exposed 
to be devoured by a sea-monster, but rescued by Perseus. Cf. Ovid, M., 
iv, 662 if. 

23. Callisto : daughter of the Arcadian king Lycaon, a follower of Ar- 
temis, who was turned by Juno into a bear, and at her death translated 
to the heavens as the constellation of Ursa Maior. 

25. quietem : the peace of death. Cf. Verg., A., x, 745 ff. : olli dura 
quies oculos et ferreus urget somnus. 

27-30. With this scene, where Cynthia is conversing with the heroines 
of the lower world, cf. 1, 19, 13, where Propertius pictures himself as 
associating with them. 

27. Semele : daughter of Cadmus, beloved of Zeus, mother by him of 
Dionysus. periclo : cf. 11. 15 and 46. 

28. malo : she was destroyed by the lightning of Zeus ; cf. Ovid, Jf., 
in, 253 ff. 

29. Maeonias : Lydian, i.e. Homeric. inter: the last syllable is 
lengthened here in the thesis. Cf. 1, 23: petilt ; iv, 1, 17 : fult. 

33. coniunx : Vocative— Juppiter. 

II, 28b. 

' The omens are all unfavorable (35-38). If she dies, may I die with her? 
Have pity, Juppiter, upon us both (39-42). And we shall both reward 
thee, I with my verse, she with her worship ' (43-46). 

35. rhombi : the rhombus, or turbo, was a magic wheel which was spun 
to the accompaniment of incantations. Cf. Prop., in, 6, 26 : staminea 
rhombi. . .rota; Theocr. , 11, 30: xwsS^e?^ 1 ode po/m^os 6 xd\/ceose£ ' A<ppo5iras. 

36. iacet laurus : the laurel went out without being thoroughly con- 
sumed. See Note on Tib., 11, 5, 83. 

37. negat : with the Infinitive, in the sense of refuse, is very rare ; cf. 
Sen., Troad., 903. descendere : see Note on 1, 1, 19. 

38. nigra . . . avis : the bubo, a bird of ill omen. Cf. Ovid, M., v, 549 : 
bubo. . .dirum mortalibus omen ; Verg., A., iv, 462: ferali carmine bubo; 
Plin., N. H., x, 34 : bubo funebris et maxime abominatus. . .visus dirum 
ostentum est. 

39. nostros . . . amores = nos amantes. 

40. caerula : (for caerulea) the traditional color of Charon's skiff. Cf. 
Verg., A., vi, 410 : caeruleam. . .puppim ; Theocr., xvii, 48 : vrja Kvaveav. 

41. unius : but cf. unius, n, 13, 36. miserere duorum : cf. Ovid, 
Am., 11, 13, 15 : in una par ce duobus ; Tib., iv, 4, 19. 

43. damno : here (and in Verg., B., v, 80) construed with the Ablative, 
more commonly with the Genitive.. See G. 378. 
13 



194 COMMENTARY. [II, iU, 45, 46; 2Sr, 47-62; 

45, 46. A similar situation in Tib., i, 3, 27 if. 

45. operata : worshipping. See Note on Tib., 11, 1, 9. 

II, 28c. 

A poem on Cynthia's recovery. 

' May Persephone and Pluto continue merciful (47, 48), for there are 
already fair maidens enough in Hades (49-58). But do you, Cynthia, 
remember to give thanks and to pay your vows ' (59-63). 

47. nee : Proper tian for et ne. 

48. coniunx: Pluto. 

49. Cf. Shakespeare, ' Venus and Adonis,' 1. 1076 : What face remains 
alive thafs worth the viewing. formosarum : the polysyllabic verse- 
ending is avoided by Propertius except here and in proper names, and 
three times with the word heroinae (1, 13, 31 ; 1, 19, 13 ; 11, 2, 9). 

51. lope: more commonly called Cassiope or Cassiopeia; the mother of 
Andromeda. Her pride in her beauty aroused the anger of the Nereids. 
Tyro : beloved of Poseidon in the shape of the river god Enipeus. 

52. Europe : carried off by Juppiter in the form of a bull. nee 
proba = et non proba = et inproba. See Note on 11, 3, 6. Pasiphae : 
wife of Minos, mother of the Minotaurus. 

54. Phoebi : Apollo built the walls of Troy. 

55. innumero: of any account. Cf. kv aptd/my. The opposite is extra 
numerum : of no account. Cf. Plaut., Men., 182. 

57. aeternum: see Note on Tib., n, 5, 64. 

58. longius aut propius : cf. Ovid, M., x, 33 : serius aid citius sedem 
properamus ad unam. 

59. dimissa : in prose dimitto takes ex or a. 

61. divae nunc, ante iuvencae : Isis. Cf . 11, 28, 17. 

62. decern : seemingly the prescribed number in the cult of Isis. Cf . 11, 
33, 1 : tristia iam redeunt iterum sollemnia nobis, \ Cynthia iam nodes 
est operata decern. 

n, 31. 

A description of the portico and the courtyard of the temple of 
Apollo on the Palatine. The temple itself was dedicated by Augustus 
on October 9, b.c 28 (cf. Dio Cass., liii, 1 ; Mon. Ancyr., iv, 1 ; CIL. 2 , 
1, pp. 245, 249). This poem, which was probably written considerably 
later, seems to have been inspired by the opening up of the portico and 
courtyard around the temple, which may have occurred in b.c. 27, or in 
the beginning of B.c. 26. 

1. Quaeris : see Note on 1, 22, 2. tibi : an Ethical Dative, not a 

Dative of Motion Whither. 



31, 1-16.] PROPERTIUS. 195 

2. aperta fuit : see G.250, r. i. 

3. Poenis . . . columnis : columns of Xumidran marble (giallo antico). 

4. femina turba : the fifty daughters of Danaus. Observe femina for 
feminea. 

5. 6. The statue here described stood probably in the centre of the 
courtyard, before the entrance to the temple proper. 

7. steterant : Imperfect in force : had taken their stand, i.e. icere 
standing. Myronis : Myron, a Boeotian sculptor of the fifth cen- 
tury, was famous for his statues of animals. 

8. artifices : passive (with boves), unless Ramsay's artificis (Genitive) be 
read. vivida signa: cf. in, 9, 9 : animosa signa ; Yerg., G., in, 
34 : spirantia signa. 

9. claro . . . marmore : in prose the Ablative of ^Material requires ex. 
The temple was built of white marble from Carrara, the ancient Luna. 
Cf. Serv. on Yerg., A., vin, 720. Its dazzling whiteness is often referred 
to ; cf. Yerg., A., vin, 720 : nives candentis limine Plxoehi ; Ovid, Tr., 
in, 1, 60 : ad intonsi Candida templa dei. 

10. Ortygia : 'Oprvyia — Delos. See Xote on in, 22, 15. 

11. supra fastigia : upon the roof as an acroterium. 

12. Libyci . . . dentis : ivory. 

13. Gallos : Delphi was invaded by the Gauls under Brennus in B.C. 
279. Their rout by Apollo is described by Pausanias. 1, 4, 4, and x, 23. 

14. Tantalidos : for Tantalidis, Gen. of Tantalis. Xiobe, daughter of 
Tantalus, who by her excessive pride in her offspring aroused the jealousy 
of Leto. Her children were slain by Apollo and Artemis. 

15. 16. The group on the pediment of the temple. The temple of 
Apollo at Delphi had a similar pediment group. Cf. Paus., x, 19, 4. 

15. matrem: Leto. sororem : Diana. 

16. carmina : with sonet, by an extension of the Cognate Accusative. 

II, 34- 

' In matters of love, friends are not to be trusted (1-8). Even you, 
Lynceus, were nearly untrue to me there; but I forgive it, for you were 
not yourself (9-22). One thing it has shown me, that you, too, for all 
your wisdom, have fallen a prey to Love (23-26). What does your phi- 
losophy profit you now ? (27-30). You had better let your epics go, and 
take to writing love-poetry (31-46). For, believe me, philosophy will not 
give you success here (47-54). Follow my example, leave epics to others 
(")0-G0). Such themes are for Vergil, who sings now of greater themes, 
having before sung of love and the country (61-80). His verse is always 
welcome, yet mine, too, will not be without grace (81-84). Yarro, Ca- 
tullus, Calvus, and Gallus have sung of love before me ' (85-94). 



ig5 COMMENTARY. [11,34, 

1. faciem . . . credit : perhaps allows to see. * 

5. ille deus: Amor. 

6. bene : used here as an adverb of Degree. 

7. hospes . . . hospitium: cf. 1. 20 : stulto. . .stulto ; Plaut., Men., 452 : 
occupatos occupat ; Verg., A., iv, 83 : absens absentem ; Hor., S., n, 6, 
81 : veterem vetus. 

8. Colchis : Medea, so called from her birthplace. 

9. Lynceu : otherwise unknown. 

10. cecidere maims : cf. Verg., A., vi, 32 (where Daedalus is trying to 
portray the fate of Icarus his son) : bis patriae cecidere manus. 

17. lecto : Ablative of Separation with deprecor. 

18. rivalem . . . Iovem: cf. n, 3, 30, 31. 

19. umbras : cf. Q. Cic, de Petit. Cons., 9 : umbram suam 
metuit. 

23. ruga : the Singular is poetical. 

25. insanit : insanire = amare, just as naiveo-dou = ipdv. 

27. Socraticis : with reference to philosophy in general. Cf. Hor., (7., 
1, 29, 14 : Socraticam. . .domum. libris : seems to be an Ablative of 
Source in the sense of drawn from. 

28. Cretei : the Cretan Epimenides (circa B.C. 500), a half-mythical per- 
sonage under whose name a collection of oracles, a Theogonia, and an 
epic on the Argonauts were known to the ancients. 

31. Meropem . . . Philetan : on Philetas of Cos, cf. Introd., 7. Merops 
was a legendary king of the island of Cos, whence its inhabitants were 
called Meropes. 

32. non inflati : the same idea is expressed in the positive, 11, 1, 40 : 
angusto pectore Callimachus. somnia : Callimachus's most famous 
work, the Mna, was cast in the form of a dream. 

33. Aclieloi : the god of a river in Aetolia, who fought with Hercules 
for the possession of Deianeira, daughter of Oineus. Perhaps Lynceus 
had written a ' Heracleis.' 

34. 36. fluxerit . . . errat : a similar shift from the Subjunctive to the 
Indicative is found in in, 5, 26 seq., where see Note. 

35. Maeandria . . . unda : the Maeander, a river of Asia Minor near 
Miletus, famed for its wandering course, hence fallax. Cf. Seneca's 
description of it (Here. Fur., 683): qualis incertis vagus \ Maeander undis 
Indit et cedit sibi \ instatque dubius litus an fontem petat. 

37. Adrasti . . . Arion : Adrastus, one of the ' Seven against Thebes,' 
while on his way thither founded the Nemean games in the valley of 
that name, in honor of Archemorus, the infant son of Lycurgus, who 
had just been killed by a serpent. At the games he was victor with his 
famous steed Arion, sprung from Poseidon. vocalis : endowed with 



1-67.] PROPEUTIUS. I97 

articulate speech. Cf. 11, 6, 10. In Statius (Theb., xi, 442) the horse 
prophesies to Adrastus the outcome of the attack. 

39. Amphiareae . . . quadrigae : in the repulse at Thebes, the seer 
Amphiaraus, riding in his chariot, was swallowed up by the earth. 

40. Capanei : the first to set a ladder against the wall of the town ; 
struck down by the thunderbolt of Juppiter. 

42. molles : see Note on 1, 7, 19. 

43. angusto . . . torno : the writing of poetry is often compared with fine 
work on a turning-lathe. Cf. Hor., A. P., 441 : male tomatos versus. 

44. dure poeta : see Note on 1, 7, 19. 

45. Antimacho : see Introd., 5. 

49. per te : by yourself, i.e. without my help. 

51-54. With this enumeration of speculative problems may be com- 
pared the long list given in 111, 5, 25-46. 

53, 54. si: is twice used as an Indirect Interrogative. 

53. aliquid : cf. Ovid, Am., in, 9, 59 : si tamen et nobis aliquid nisi 
nomen et umbra \ restat. 

54. consulto : the Epicureans denied all purpose and guidance in the 
striking of lightning. Propertius himself, in another place (11, 16, 52), 
affirms it : nee sie de nihilo fulminis ira eadit ; as also Horace, C, 

h 34- 

56. nullus . . . triumphus : similarly 11, 24B, 37 : nee sanguine avito no- 
bilis. antiquo Marte : with triumplius. 

59. positum: see Note on 1, 3, 15. 

60. iactu : with certus. ad ossa : cf . 1, 9, 29 : qui non ante patet 
donee manus attigit ossa. 

61. Actia: Vergil's plan to write an epic on Augustus was never car- 
ried out. 

63, 64. These two lines contain reminiscences of the opening lines of 
the Aeneid, which, while not yet published, was known in part to the 
inner circle to which Propertius seems to have belonged. 

63. suscitat : see Note on n, 1, 18. 

66. Iliade : standing for both Iliad and Odyssey. As an actual fact, 
Aeneis, i-vi, may be likened to the Odyssey, and vn-xn to the Iliad. 
But it is a super-refinement to assert that the comparison with the Iliad 
is made because he is thinking of the last six books only. 

67. tu canis : the phrase introduces an account of the Bucolics, just as 
below (1. 77) the same phrase introduces the Georgics. Galaesi : a small 
stream near Tarentum. Vergil was there on one occasion (cf. G., iv, 
125), and this, coupled with the fact that the region was celebrated 
for its sheep (cf. Hor., C, 11, 6, 10, and Varro, R.R., n, 2, 18), may 
have induced Propertius to choose this place for his purely ideal pic- 



I98 COMMENTARY. [11,34,68-91; 

ture of Vergil tending his flocks. It is folly to try and extract from 
this any proof that the Bucolics were actually composed there, or even 
that Propertius thought so. 

68. Thyrsin . . . Daphnin : both occur in Eel. vn, and Daphnis alone in 
Eel. v ; but the two names are probably chosen because they are in the 
first Idyll of Theocritus. 

69. decern . . . mala : cf. Verg., B., m, 71 : aurea mala decern nisi, eras 
altera mitt am. 

70. haedus : the lover's present. Cf. Tib., 11, 5, 38. 

72. Tityrus : cf . Eel. 1. 

73, 74. Almost a cento from Verg., B., II, 1 ff. : formosum pastor 
Gorydon ardebat Alexim, \ deUcias domini. 

76. faciles . . . Hamadryadas : cf. Verg., B., in, 9 : faeiles . . . Nymplias ; 
and£., x, 62. 

77. Ascraei . . . poetae : Hesiod, whose "EpYa /ecu 'Hyuepcu was, in a sense, 
the prototype of the G-eorgics. 

78. seges . . . uva : of the four books of the G-eorgics, the first treated 
of agriculture and is referred to here in seges ; the second, of viniculture, 
referred to in uva ; the third and fourth, not specifically mentioned, 
dealt with arboriculture and apiculture respectively. 

84. The reference is to Vergil's modest declaration, B., ix, 35, 36: 
nam neque adliuc Vario videor nee dicere Oinna \ digna sed argutos inter 
strepere anser olores. Yet Vergil (anser), even though writing lyric 
poetry, surpassed the epic poets Varius and Cinna {olores), so Propertius 
has hope. 

85-92. With this list cf. that of Ovid, Tr., iv, 421-468., Tibullus is 
not mentioned, because he was still alive. For the various poets, cf. 
Introd., 8. 

88. quis = quibus (scriptis). 

91. modo . . . mortuus: in b.c. 27. See Note on 11, 10, 17. 

Ill, 1. 

The poet invokes the aid of Callimachus and Philetas (1-6), states the 
triumphs he has already attained (7-14), and points out his peculiar 
mission and its ever-increasing reward (15-24). Just as Homer, who gave 
fame to Troy, ever afterward grew in fame himself (25-34), so shall it be 
with him (35-38). Meantime he will keep on, writing (39, 40). For it is 
his power [11] (1-8) and his riches (9-16) and his hope of immortality 
(17-24). 

With this poem cf. Horace's exegi monumentum aere perennius (C., 
in, 30) and Ovid, M., xv, 871 ff., and Am., 1, 15. 



Ill, i, 1-25.] PROPERTIUS. I99 

I. Coi . . . Philetae : cf. Introd., 8. sacra: probably sacred rites, 
anticipating nemus in the next line. 

3. puro de fonte : cf . 11, 10, 25. sacerdos : the poet as priest of 
Apollo and the Muses. Cf. Hor., C, in, 1, 2 : Musarum sacerdos ; Ovid, 
Am., in, 8, 23 : Musarum Plioebique sacerdos ; Tr., in, 2, 3 ; Prop., 
iv, 6, 1. 

4. per : with choros. A similar boast in Horace, C, 111, 30, 13 : dicar 
. . .princeps Aeolium carmen ad Italos | deduxisse modos, and in Vergil, 
G., in, 10 : primus ego. . . Aonio. . .deducam vertice Musas. ferre : 
the Infin. after ingredior seems to be rare outside of Cicero, who 
affects it. 

6. quove pede : i.e. in what metre. 

7. valeat : away with Mm who, etc. Cf. x aL P^ ru} , an( i Ter., Andr., 696; 
valeant qui inter nos discidium volunt. moratur : bids Phoebus 
linger on the field of arms. 

8. tenui : see Note on Tib., 11, 46. 

9. a me nata : ' child of my brain.'' — Postgate. 

10. coronatis . . . equis : cf. Ovid's wish addressed to Germanicus (P., 
11, 1, 57): te quoque victorem. . .coronatis Roma videbit equis. 

II. Amores: the triumphator often took his children with him in his 
chariot. Cf. Aemilius Paullus and his sons (liv; xly, 40, 8), and Ger- 
manicus and his children (Tac, Ann., 11, 41). In the poet's case the 
Amores occupy the place of children. vectantur : notice the shift in 
mood, characteristic of Propertius ; cf. in, 5, 26-46 and Note, 

13. missis . . . habenis : refers to the shaking or slapping of the loose 
reins upon the horses' backs. 

14. currere : perhaps with lata : broad to run in, but if so unexampled. 
More probably currere depends upon datur, a poetical and later prose 
construction, and lata via is made subject of datur instead of Abl. of 
Instrument, which would be more natural. 

17. sororum: Musarum. 

18. intacta . . . via : a similar claim is made by Horace (Ep., 1, 19, 21) 
and by Vergil (67., 111, 292). As the opus is the pagina nostra, we have 
another Propertianism similar to 1, 19, 14. 

19. mollia . . . serta — dura . . . corona : the wreaths for the lyric poet 
must be mollia, just as his verse is mollis (see Note oni, 7, 19); the dura 
corona is for the epic poet, the durus poeta (cf. 11, 34, 44). 

20. faciet : intransitive, will not do, usually followed by ad in this 
sense. 

21. 22. Cf. Ovid, Am., 1, 15, 39. 

24. ab exequiis : from death on ; similarly Ovid, Tr., iv, 10, 122. 

25. nam : for example, like [lie Greek ewel. pulsas : cf. Pausanias, 



200 COMMENTARY. [Ill, i, 2G-38 ; 

I, 23, 8, who holds that the * Trojan horse ' was hut a device for disman- 
tling the walls. 

26. Haemonio . . . viro : i.e. Achilles, from Phthia in Thessaly (Hae- 
monia). The contest with the two river-gods is described in 11., xxi. 

27. Iovis . . . prole Scamandro : the Scamander or Xanthus, ov dddvaros 
t€K€to Zetfs (Horn., II., xiv, 434 ; xxi, 2). 

29, 30. Deiphobum . . . Helenum . . . Polydamanta . . . Parim : sons of Priam, 
except Polydamus, who was the son of Panthous. 

31, 32. Ilion . . . Troia : the distinction (also observed in Verg., A., v, 
756 : hoc Ilium et haec loca Troiam esse iubet) is said by Servius to be 
that Ilion refers to the citadel and Troia to the town. exiguo sermone : 
sermo is the expression of fama : the phrase is more often in sermone. 

32. bis Oetaei . . . capta dei : Hercules (called deus Oetaeus from his fu- 
neral pyre on Mt. Oeta, between Thessaly and Aetolia) captured Troy 
twice — once in his own person, angered at Laomedon, and once in the 
person of Philoctetes, who brought about the surrender of the town by 
shooting Paris with the arrows of Hercules. 

34. posteritate: Propertius shows a number of Ablatives difficult to 
interpret. This approaches a temporal use. 

38. Lycio . . . deo : Apollo, who had a famous oracle at Patara in Lycia; 
cf. Hor., C, in, 4, 62 : qui Lyciae tenet dumeta. . .Patareus Apollo. 

11. 1-6. The power of song is illustrated in the case of Orpheus, Am- 
phion, and Polyphemus. 

1. detinuisse feras : cf. Mart., xiv, 166, 2 : quae duxit silvas detinuit- 
que f eras, and Tib., 1, 8, 20 : eantus et iratae detinet anguis iter. 

3, 4. Cf. Hor., A. P., 394 if.: dictus et Amphion, Thebanae conditor 
arcis | saxa movere sono testudinis etprece blanda \ ducere quo vellet. 

3. Cithaeron : a mountain in Boeotia, near Thebes. Thebas : Ter- 
minal Ace. after coisse. 

4. in . . . membra : to form parts ; the personification is kept up in 
membra. 

5. Polypbeme: for Polyphemus and Galatea ; cf. Theocr., vi and xi ; 
Ovid, M., xiii, 750. 

7. dextro : favorable, propitious. 

9. Taenareis . . . columnis : columns of black marble from Taenarum, 
the southern promontory of Laconia (Cape Matapan). 

10. Phaeacas . . . silvas : the groves and orchards of Alcinous, king of 
the Phaeacians, described in Horn., Odyss., vn, 114 ft. Cf. Verg., 6\,n, 
87 : Alcinoi silvae. 

12. operosa : artificial. Marcius . . . liquor : the aqua Ilarcia, one of 
the aqueducts of Rome, built in B.C. 145 and restored by Agrippa. See 
Note on in, 22, 24. 



II, 1-23 ; 3, 1-9.] PROPERTIUS. 201 

13. legenti : the use of the participle in the Singular for the substantive 
is rare in Latin, and in this case is probably due to metrical necessity. 

14. Calliopea: see Note on n, i, 3. 

17. pyramidum : cf. Hor., C, m, 30, 2: r eg ali. . .situ pyramidum. 
Notice the common poetical use of the abstract substantive for the ad- 

• jective. 

18. Iovis Elei : the temple of Zeus at Olympia. 

19. Mausolei . . . sepulchri : Mausolus, king of Caria, died in B.C. 353. 
The sepulchre was erected by his widow, Artemisia. Cf. Plin., JS 7 . H., 
xxxvi, 30. 

21, 22. Cf. Hor., C, 111, 30, 3-5 : quod non imber edax, non aquilo in- 
potens I possit diruere aut innumerabilis \ annorum series et fuga tempo- 
rum ; and Ovid, 31., xv, 871 : quod nee Iovis ira nee ignis \ nee poterit 
ferrum nee edax abolere vetustas. 

23. ab aevo : excidet is felt as passive, hence ab, under the blows of. 

Ill, 3. 

The poet tells how he received his divine appointment. ' I dreamed I 
lay on Mt. Helicon and sang of kings and heroes (1-12). Then Apollo 
came and rebuked me (13-24), and led me to the cave of the Muses (25-36). 
There Calliope gave me my task — to sing not of war but of love (37-50), and 
I was baptized a bard of love' (51, 52). Similar fictions of being inspired 
on Mt. Helicon were employed by Hesiod {Tlxeog., 1-25), Callimachus 
(in the opening of the lost Altlo), Ennius (cf. Schol. on Pers., Prolog., 
1, and Lact,, Inst., 1, 116), and Gallus (cf. Yerg., JS., vi, 64 fT.). 

1. recubans : the vividness of the dream is heightened by the participle, 
which is very uncommon after a passive as here. Heliconis : see Xote 
on 11, 10, 1. 

2. Bellerophontei . . . umor equi : the spring of Hippocrene, arising 
where the hoof of Pegasus, Bellerophon's steed, struck the ground. 

4. tantum operis : this apposition softens the harshness of the phrase 
reges. . .hiscere. 

6. pater . . . Ennius : (b.c. 239-169) the pioneer of hexameter verse. His 
patriarchal character is expressed in pater. Cf. Hor., Up., 1, 19, 7: En- 
nius. . .pater. 

7. Curios : for Curiatios under metrical necessity; on the struggle of the 
Horatii and the Curiatii, cf. Liv., 1. 24. 

8. Aemilia . . . rate : the triumphal return of the fleet of Aerailius Paul- 
lus after the victory over Perseus at Pydna in B.C. 168. Cf. Liv., xlv, 35. 

9. moras Fabii : the policy of delay successfully practised by Q. Faluns 
Maximus in the Second Punic war, which won him the title of cunctator. 



202 COMMENTARY. [Ill, 3, 10-51 ; 

10. Cannensem: the dire defeat at Cannae in B.C. 216. 

11. Lares: Propertius may have in mind the story of the mysterious 
deus Tutanus Rediculus, so called quia accedens ad urbem (in B.C. 211) 
Hannibal ex eo loco redierit quibusdam perterritus visis (Paulus, p. 283). 
Cf. Yarro, Sat. Men., 213 [B.] = Non. Marc, p. 37 [M.]. 

12. anseris : the story of the geese which saved the Capitol at the com- 
ing of the Gauls in B.C. 391. Cf. Liv., v, 47. 

13 if. Similarly Hor., C, iv, 15, 1 ff. : Phoebus volentem proelia me 
loqui I victas et urbes increpuit lyra, | ne parva Tyrrhenum per aequor 
I vela darem. arbore : the trees ; Collective Singular. 

13. Castalia : the Castalian spring is at Delphi in Phocis, whereas Helicon 
is in Boeotia, but Propertius often disregards geographical consistency. 

19. scamno : Postgate quotes an epigraph of similar nature from Strato: 

WOWCLKL <p0lT7)(TeLS VTTOKoXlTLOV Tj TTCLpa dl(ppOLS ft\7]d€V. 

21. sevecta : the only case of any form of this verb. 

25. dixerat : the Pluperfect is regular in this use and is a remnant of 
the early style. 

26-32. This description of the Muses' grotto is merely that of an arti- 
ficial grotto such as existed in great numbers in the parks of wealthy 
Romans. They were sometimes called Musea ; cf. Plin., N. H., xxxvi, 154. 

29. Sileni patris : the aged companion of Bacchus ; cf. Yerg., B., vi. 

30. Tegeaee : Pan especially connected with Mt. Parthenius near Tegea 
in Arcadia. Cf. Preller-Robert, Griecli. Myth., 1, 738, 5. 

31. dominae: a frequent cognomen of Venus. Cf. Ovid, A. A., 1, 148 ; 
Petr., 85 ; Apul., Met., viii, 25 ; CIL., 11, 1638, 1639. 

32. G-orgoneo . . . lacu : Hippocrene, so called because Pegasus, from the 
blow of whose hoof it arose (see Note on 1. 2), sprang from the neck of 
the Grorgon when Perseus beheaded her. 

35. hederas : see Note on 11, 5, 26. thyrsos : (dtipaos) the sacred staff 

carried by the followers of Bacchus. 

38. a facie, Calliopea : see Note on 11, 3, 1; a facie looks like a popular 
etymology — KaXA:67reta from &\p, the face, whereas it is really connected 
with 6^, the voice. Propertius was, however, careless about distinguish- 
ing between the different words. 

39. cycnis : the swan-chariot of Yenus. Cf. Hor., C, 111, 28, 13 : quae 
Paphon iunctis visit oloribus. 

41. tibi : more natural ad te, but the Dat. is Propertian ; ct faciei, in, 
1, 20. 

42. Aonium : see Note on 1, 2, 28. 

43. Mariano . . . signo : the victories of Marius, over the Teutons at 
Aquae Sextiae in b.c 102, over the Cimbri in the Raudian plains, B.C. 
101. The signum is the eagle which Marius, according to Pliny, N. H., 



4. 1-14.] PKOPERTIUS. 203 

x, 4, 5, 16, made the distinctive mark of the Roman legions. The Abl. is 
Propertian. 

45. perfusus sanguine Rhenus: cf. Ovid, Tr., iv, 2, 42 : decolor ipse suo 
sanguine Rhenus erat. The reference may be to Caesars victory over 
Ariovistus in B.C. 58, or more probably to the minor successes attributed 
to Augustus in B.C. 29. Cf. Dio Cass., li, 21, 6. 

47. coronatos: indicating that they had just risen from the feast. 

48. ebria : notice the transfer of the epithet, which goes naturally 
with fugae. 

50. viros : husbands. 

51. a fonte petitis : see Xote on Tib., 11, 1, 14. 

Ill, 4. 

On the expedition of Augustus against the Parthians. After exhort- 
ing his fellow-citizens to set out and prophesying success (1-10), the poet 
prays that he may live to see the triumph (11-20). 

I. deus Caesar : Augustus allowed himself to be worshipped as a god 
only outside of Rome, and then only in conjunction with the dea Roma. 
Cf. Suet., Aug., 52. The poets often refer to him thus. Cf. Prop., iv, 
n, 60 : lacrimas vidimus ire deo ; and Verg., B., 1, 6 : deus ?wbis haec 
otia fecit. ad Indos : the ad is due to the idea of motion involved 
in meditatur. 

3. ultima terra : here India, more commonly Britain. 

4. Tigris et Euphrates: on the submission of rivers, cf. Hor., C, 11, 9, 
21 : Medumque flumen gentibus additum \ victis minores volvere vertices ; 
and Yerg., A., vin, 726 : Euphrates ibat iam mollior undis. sub 
. . . fluent : will {come and) flow under. 

5. sera sed: cf. Verg., B., 1, 27: libertas, quae sera, tamen respexit, 
etc. Sera is predicate with veniet, not attributive with provincia. 
Ausoniis : Italian. 

7. 8. prorae . . . equi : probably Vocatives, but it is also possible to 
regard the first as Dative, the second as Genitive. 

8. ducite munus : an unusual phrase, probably meaning perform your 
accustomed duty. 

9. Crassos : see Xote on 11, 10, 14. 

II. fatalia luniina : the sacred fire of Vesta, upon the maintenance of 
which the destiny of Rome depended. For it to be extinguished was a 
dire omen. Cf. Liv., xxvin, 11, 6 (b.c 206) : terruit animos hominum 
ignis in aede Vestae extinctus. 

14. resistere equos: the horses rearing up. Imitated by Ovid, Tr., iv, 
2, 54 : quadrigos cernes saepe resistere equos. 



204 COMMENTARY. [Ill, 4, 16-22 ; 

16. titulis : the inscriptions upon the ' floats ' representing the oppida 
capta. Such floats are frequently referred to. Cf. Tib., 11, 5, 116 ; 
Ovid, Tr., iv, 2, 20 : cumque ducum titulis oppida capta leget ; and see 
Note on 11, 1, 31. 

17. fugacis : referring to the familiar 'Parthian' method of warfare, 
the custom of shooting backwards as they retreated. Cf. Hor., (7., 11, 13, 
17 : miles sagittas ef celerem fug am Partlii {timet) ; Verg., 67., in, 31 : 
fidentemque fug a Parthum versisque sagittis ; Prop., in, 9, 54 ; iv,' 3, 66. 

18. subter . . . arma : the leaders were seated at the foot of a pillar 
(tropaeum) upon which the captured weapons were fastened. Cf. Ovid, 
P., in, 4, 104 : stentque super vinctos trunca tropaea vivos; and fre- 
quent illustrations upon Roman coins and gems. subter . . . sedere : 
come and sit under ; a condensed usage similar to that noted on 1. 4. 

19. tuam prolem: i.e. Augustus, descended, through Julius Caesar, 
from Venus Genetrix. 

20. ab Aenea : the customary expression of remote origin. 
22. Sacra , , , via : see Note on 11, 1, 34. 

HI, 5. 

' Love and peace, not war and riches, for me (1-6). Frail humanity 
struggles for these latter things (7-12), but what of all these shall a man 
take with him to the lower world ? (13-18). In the days of my youth let 
love and song delight me (19-22), but when I am grown old the laws of 
nature shall be my study (23-46). But you others, who care for war, 
bring back the standards of Crassus ' (47, 48). 

With this poem maybe compared Tib., 1, 1, and Hor., Epod., 1. 

3. inviso : liateful, rather than hated. auro : cf . Vergil's aurea 
sacra fames {A., vn, 57). 

4. e gemma : a small drinking cup or ladle made of a single gem. Cf. 
Verg., O., 11, 506 : ut gemma bib at ; Cic, Verr., iv, 62 : erat etiam vas 
vinarium ex una gemma per grandi trulla excavata manubrio aureo. 

5. Cf. Ovid, Am., 1, 3, 9 : nee meus innumeris renovatur campus ara- 
tris. Campania: the richest farming region of Italy. Cf. Plin., N. 
H., xviii, 111 : universas terras campus Campanus antecedit. 

6. Corinthe : it was sacked by Mummius in B.C. 146, and the most of 
its art treasures were taken to Rome. 

7. Prometheo : who formed men out of clay. The scene is frequently 
portrayed on sarcophagi. Notice the synizesis at the end, as in Tib., 
11, 1, 49. 

8. cauti . . . pectoris : a play upon the word Prometheus (irpoii-fideia == 
providentia). 



5, 0-42.] PROPEETIUS. 205 

S. no.i vidit : had no eye for, i.e. lost sight of. 
10. primum : predicate neuter, the first thing. 

14. nudus : cf. Job, 1, 21 : naked came I out of my mothers ivomb, and 
naked shall I return thither. 

16. Mario . . . Iugurtha : an illustration of the victor cum victis. Marius 
was the conqueror of Jugurtha. sedes : i.e. in the same boat (Cha- 
ron's skiff). 

17. Croesus : king of Lydia, renowned for his wealth. Cf. Herod., 1, 
26-5 J. Iro : a beggar mentioned in Horn., Odyss., xvm, 5: 

19. Cf. ir, 10, 7: aetas prima canat Veneres. 

21. multo . . . Lyaeo : cf. 1, 3, 9 : multo . . .Baccho. Avahs, a cognomen 
of Bacchus, the god who releases (Xtfw) from care. 

24. Imitated by Ovid, Tr., iv, 8, 2 : inficit et nigras alba senecta 
Comas. 

25-46. Such problems as here follow are frequently mentioned in 
Roman poetry. Cf. Yerg. ,67., 11, 475 ; A., 1, 740 ; Hor., Ep. t \, 12, 16 ; 
Ovid, M., xv, 69 ; Aetna, 226. Notice in these lines the constant change 
from the Indie, to the Subjv. ; this is said by some to be an archaic 
feature of Propertius's style, but it is questionable whether it is due to 
anything but carelessness. 

31. dies : Propertius may be thinking of Lucr., v, 95 : una dies dabit 
exiiio, multosque per annos \ sustentata met moles et machina mundi. 
Cf. Ovid, Am., 1, 15, 24. 

32. bibit : the rainbow was supposed to suck up water into the clouds. 
Cf. Yerg., 6r., 1, 380 : bibit ingens arcus; Stat., Theb., ix, 404 : imbrifer 
arcus (bibit). 

33. Perrhaebi . . . Pindi : a mountain in Thessaly near the borders of 
Epirus. 

35. versare : harsh epexegetic Infin. after serus (est). 

36. Pleiadum : see Note on 1, 8, 10. They are personified and spoken 
of as a chorus also in Hor., C, iv, 14, 21 : Pleiadum choro scindente 
nubes. 

37. non exeat aequor : cf. Psalms, 104, 9 : Thou hast set a bound that 
they may not pass over, that they turn not again to cover the earth. 
Hor., Ep., 1. 12, 16 : quae mare compescant causae. 

40. Tisiphones : cf. Tib., t, 3, 69. 

41. Alcmaeoniae : Alcmaeon slew his mother Eriphyle. Phinei: the 
Harpies snatched away his food before he could eat it. The punishment 
of Alcmaeon and Phineus is not usually located in the lower world. 
The Plurals furiae and ieiunia are typical. 

42. rota . . . scopuli . . . sitis : the punishments of Ixion, Sisyphus, and 
Tantalus respectively. 



206 COMMENTARY. [Ill, 5, 44-46 ; 

44. Cerberus : the tergeminus canis (iv, 7, 52). See Note on in, 18 23, 
Tityo : a giant punished for an attempt to violate Leto, by having a 
vulture peck at his liver. 

46. ultra . . . potest : strictly speaking, we should have ultra rogum; but 
the comparative force of ultra seems to have led by slight shift to quam 
rogus. 

Ill, 7. 

On the death of Paetus by drowning. 

' The love of money is the root of all evil (1-4). It was the greed of 
gain which destroyed Paetus (5-12). Oh, winds and waves ! What 
have ye done? (13-20). Like that of Argynnus, let his fate be a warning 
(21-28). Cursed be they that build ships and go down to sea, for death 
or destruction comes surely, late or soon (29-42). Had Paetus been con- 
tent with the land, he had not met with such a fate (43-50). Drowning, 
he called upon the gods in vain (51-60), though it had been right for 
Thetis and the Nereids to help him (67-70). But the sea shall never gain 
power over me ' (71, 72). 

With the spirit of the whole poem may be compared an epigram 
(Anth. Pal, vn, 556) : 

Ovtl ere ttovtos oXetrcre /ecu ov irvelovres drJTai, 

dXX' dKOprjTos epujs (potrddos ifXTropirjs. 
Wtj fiot yaiws oXiyos fiios. e/c de 6a\d<TO"r]s 

aXXoiaiv fxeXerco Kepdos deXXojxdxov. 

1. ergo : cf. in, 23, 1, and see Note on 1, 8, 1. 

2. adimus : may mean approach, but probably little more than pursue. 

4. de capite tuo : from you. 

5. Pharios : see Note on 11, 1, 30. 

6. insano . . . mari : cf. 1, 8, 5 : vesani. . .ponti. 

8. Cf. Ovid, lb., 146 : nostraque longinquus viscera piscis edet. 

9. iusta: the regular word for funeral obsequies. Cf. e.g. Plaut., 
Cist., 176 :-uxori iusta fecit ; Cic, Rose. Am., 8: paterno funere iusta 
solvisset. piae : emphasizes the filial relation. 

10. Possibly a reminiscence of Cat., lxvih, 97 : non inter nota 
sepulcra \ nee prope cognatos conpositum cineres. pote : see Note 
on 11, 1, 46. 

11. Cf. Ovid, Her., x, 123 : ossa super stabunt volacres inhumata 
marinae. 

12. Carpathium : see Note on 11, 5, 11. For the sentiment, cf. Anth. 
Pal., VII, 285, 1 : ''Epao-Linrov \ rjv ecropas avrt] irdaa ddXaaaa rdepos. Post- 
gate bids us observe how the vastness of the sea is suggested by the 



7, 1-50.] . PKOPERTIUS. 207 

rhythm. But in, 5, 2 shows identically the same rhythm with no such 
feeling. 

13. Aquilo : or Boreas, the North wind, carried away Orithyia, the 
daughter of Erechtheus, king of Athens, who bore him Calais and 
Zetes. timor : cause of fear, by a common shift. 

15. quidnam: the nam betrays irritation. The appeal to Neptune 
here, when his existence is denied in 1. 18, is a mannerism of Propertius. 

21. cur as: love. 

22. Argynni : beloved of Agamemnon, was drowned in the Cephisus in 
Boeotia. The very difficult line may be translated : where the punish- 
ment (demanded) by the threatening water on account of Argynnus 
brands (him, i.e. Agamemnon). 

23. non solvit : refused to release. 

24. Iphigenia : daughter of Agamemnon, sacrificed to Artemis at 
Aulis. 

29. rates curvas : cf. Verg., tr., 1, 360 : curvis carinis ; Ovid, M., 11, 
163 : curvae. . .naves, and the Homeric phrase wapa vv,val Kopuvicri. 

31. terra parum fuerat fatis : cf. Sen., Q. A 7 "., v, 18, 8 : parum videlicet 
ad mortes nostras terra late patet, . . .itaque eamus in pelagus et vocemus 
in nos fata cessantia, and Xote on Tib., 1, 3, 50. 

35. haud ulla carina: Catullus's little yacht made an exception (Cat., 
iv, 25) : nunc recondita senet quiete. 

37. natura insidians : cf. Lucr., 11, 557 : in fidi maris insidias. 

39. saxa . . . Capharea : a rocky promontory on the coast of Euboea, 
where Xauplius, son of Poseidon and father of Palamedes (who had been 
killed by the Greeks), destroyed the Greek fleet on its return from Troy. 
Cf. Prop., iv, 1, 116 ; Apollod., Epit., vi, 11. 

41. socium : i.e. sociorum. 

42. in : against ; sometimes, however, used with valere in the sense of 
for. as in iv, 1, 88. doli : which won him the cognomina of duplex 
(Hor., C, 1, 6, 7), fallax (Ovid, M., xni, 712 ; Mart., in, 64), and sollers 
(Ovid, A. A., 11, 355 ; ex P., iv, 14, 35). 

43. verteret : Unreal of the Present, as viveret. 

45. ante suos . . . Penates: cf. Hor., S., 11, 6, 66 : ante Larem proprium. 
47. stridor em audire procellae : cf. 1, 8, 5. 

49. thyio: of citrus wood. 77 Ovta, or to 0\jov, was the citrus tree. Cf. 
Plin., N. H., xni, 100. Oricia : so called from Oricus, or Oricum, a 
port on the Illyrian coast, from which it was shipped. Observe the 
hiatus after thalamo, the only case in Propertius in the principal 
Caesura. 

50. caput: if the text is sound, caput would seem to be an Object- 
Accusative governed by a positive verb, implied by contrast in the 



2o8 COMMENTARY. [Ill, 7, 53-71; 

negative non tulit (1. 47); he was not used to listening to the hissing of 
the storm, instead he had been accustomed to a luxurious bed-room and 
a pillow of down. 

53. vidit : looked on at, i.e. endured to see. inproba : pitiless. 

55. mandata: cf. iv, 7, 71 (Cynthia's ghost) : sed tibi nunc mandata 
damns. 

60. longas . . . manus : see Note on 11, 2, 5. 

61. alcyonum : see Note on 1, 17, 2. 

62. caeruleo . . . deo : Neptune. Similarly Oyid, M., 1, 275 : caeruleus 
f rater. Cf. also Prop., 11, 9, 15 (of Thetis) : caerulea mater ; Ovid, M., 
1, 133 : caeruleum Tritona. 

65. fantem : regularly of articulate speech. 

67. centum. . . puellae : so also Ovid, F., vi, 499 ; Epic. Drusi y 43?. 
but fifty is the more usual number (from Hes., Theog., 264 down). 

68. materno : Thetis was the mother of Achilles. 

71. Cf. Ovid, Am., in, 2, 48 : nil mihi cum pelago, me mea terra capit. 

Ill, 9. 

A reply to a request from Maecenas that he should write of loftier 
themes. 

' Maecenas, why should you not excuse me from doing what I cannot, 
when your own modesty keeps you from doing even all that you could ? 
(l- r >). There is a diversity of gifts (7-20). Then, too, my modesty is 
only an imitation of your still greater modesty (21-34). My work has 
always been, and still is, the poetry of love (35-46). But, with your 
help, the day may come when I shall rise to epic themes (47-56). There- 
fore vouchsafe me your help in the future as in the past ' (57-60). 

1. eques : emphatic. This preference of Maecenas to remain only a 
knight and to play the role of the ' great commoner ' is often referred to. 
Cf. Hor., C, 1, 20, 5 : dare Maecenas eques ; C, 111, 16, 20 : Maecenas 
equitum decus. regum : the family of the Cilnii of Arretium, with 
which Maecenas was connected, belonged to the highest Etruscan no- 
bility. Cf. Hor., C, 1, 1, 1 : Maecenas atavis edite regions. 8., in, 
29., 1 : Tyrrhena regum progenies . . .Maecenas. 

2. intra fortunam : Velleius (11, 88) says of Maecenas .: vixit angusti 
clavi fine contentus nee maiora consequi non potuit sed non concupivit. 

3. scribendi . . . aequor : a modernism of which no other example is 
cited. 

5. capiti : a characteristically Italian touch. Cf. iv, 4, 15, where 
Tarpeia carries the water-jar upon her head. After nequeas the easiest 
supplement is ferre. 



9, 1-29.] -PROPERTIUS. 209 

8. An obscure and possibly hopelessly corrupt line. Eead thus, it 
would seem to mean that fame is to be obtained from special excellence 
in some particular thing, and not from ordinary commonplace ability 
{ex aequo iugo ; where special excellence is thought of as apeak or break 
in the monotony). Possibly Genius is thought of as necessarily fiov6£v%. 
It does not draw in pairs. Hence Fama, which is drawn by Genius, is 
only to be gained by special excellence. 

9-16. Illustrations of special excellence, taken from the field of art. 
Four pairs are mentioned — bronze- workers, painters, carvers, sculptors — 
and the members of each pair are contrasted with each other. For 
Propertius's intere:t in art, see Xote on 1, 2, 22. 

9. Lysippo : who lived in the time of Alexander, was famous for his 
bronze statues. animosa . . . signa : see Xote on 11, 31, 8, and Theocr., 
XV, 83 : efupvx ovk ivv<pavT&. 

10. Calamis : a bronze-caster from the time of the Persian wars, famed 
for his statues of horses. Cf. Plin., N.H., xxxiv, 71 : equis semper sine 
aemulo expressis. 

11. Apelles : see Xote on 1, 2, 22. His most famous picture — the most 
famous painting in antiquity — was the ' Aphrodite Anadyomene ' here 
referred to, and described by Pliny, A 7 ". H., xxxv, 91. 

12. Parrhasius : a contemporary of Socrates. The small pictures here 
mentioned are probably those referred to by Pliny, A T . H. , xxxv, 72 : 
pinxit et minoribus tabellis libidines. parva . . . arte : a curious 
phrase, meaning probably his skill in miniature- work. 

13. argumenta : figures or scenes. Mentoris : see Xote on 1, 14, 2. 
formae : work of art. 

14. Myos : Mys, a silver-chaser, contemporary with Parrhasius. Cf. 
Plin., N. H., xxxiii, 154. iter is a Cognate Accusative. 

15. Phidiacus . . . Iuppiter : Pheidias's chryselephantine statue of Zeus at 
Olympia, made circa B.C. 450. 

16. Praxitelen : a famous sculptor of the middle of the fourth century 
B.C. His statues seem to have been made of Pentelic marble, quarried 
on Mount Pentelicon, near Athens, hence propria. . .urbe lapis in contrast 
to signo. . .eburno of Pheidias. 

17. Construe: palma est {eis) quibusEleae quadrigae concurrunt. Olym- 
pia was situated in Elis. 

23, 24. secures . . . iura : if he were praetor or consul, Maecenas could 
draw up his lictors with their axes and hold court in the Forum. 

26. domum: see Xote on Tib., 1, 1, 53. perarma: a careless expres- 

sion for armis. 

29. parcis : you refrain ; the first case in Latin of the absolute use of 
this word. 

14 



2IO COMMENTxlRY. [Ill, 9, 01-56 ; 

31. Camillos : the Camilli, especially M. Furius Camillus, the conqueror 
of Veii, were regarded by late Romans as models of contentment. 

32. iudicia : probably the Plural is Maiestaticus. 

33. Caesaris et famae : governed by vestigiib to be supplied with iuncta. 
vestigia: i.e. those of Maecenas. 

35. Cf. in, 3, 23. 

37. 38. ' I shall write no " Thebais." ' 

38. Cadmi : Thebes (arcem . . . Cadmi) was struck by lightning w T hen 
Zeus revealed himself to Semele, daughter of Cadmus. clade pari : 
because in the single combats of the ' Seven against Thebes ' the heroes 
on both sides perished (except Adrastus). 

39-42. ' I shall write no " Iliad." ' 

39. Scaeas: The ZkcuclI irv\ai, or western gate of Troy. Cf. Verg., A., 
it, 612 : Scaeas. . .portas. Pergama : see Note on 11, 1, 21. 

40. decimo vere — decimo anno. There is no special reference to spring. 
Cf the use of hiemes in Hor. , C, 1, 15, 35. 

41. moenia . . . Neptunia : Poseidon (and Apollo: cf. Apollinis arces, 
1. 39) built the walls of Troy. Cf. Horn., II., vil, 452 ; xxi, 446. 

42. Palladiae : Pallas Athene assisted in the building of the wooden 
horse. Cf. Horn., Odyss., VIII, 492 : tinrov. . .dovpareov, tov 'T&ireLOS eirol-qa-ev 
%iv 'Adrjvrj ; Verg., A., 11, 15 : eqnum divina Palladis arte aedifi- 
cant. 

44. Coe poeta : Philetas of Cos. Cf. Introd., 8. 

46. deum: cf. Ovid, Am., in, 9, 17 : at sacri vates et divum cur a vo- 
camur, \ sunt etiam, qui nos numen habere putent. 

48. Coeum . . . Oromedonta : two giants who took part in the Giganto- 
machia. Phlegraeis : see Note on n, 1, 39. 

49. For similar descriptions of the prehistoric Palatine Hill, see Note 
on Tib., 11, 5, 25. 

50. firma : the death of Remus was considered as an object lesson, 
teaching the sacredness of the walls of Rome. Cf. Plut., Q. it., 27; 
Ovid, F., iv, 847. The adjective is used predicatively : established. 

51. pares : the twins Romulus and Remus. 

52. sub tua iussa: Vergil (G., in, 41), also addressing Maecenas, says : 
tua haud mollia iussa. The Ace. is harsh, but perhaps an idea of move- 
ment is contained in crescet. So in tuas partes, line 60 below. 

54. astutae . . . fugae = astute fugientium. On the flight of the Par- 
tisans, see Note on in, 4, 17. 

55. Pelusi : a town in Egypt at the easternmost mouth of the Nile. 
subruta ferro : Propertius follows the official version. According to Dio 
Cass., li, 9, 5, the town was in reality not taken by force but betrayed into 
the hands of Augustus. 



io, 1-23 J PKOPERTIUS. 211 

56. Antoni : accounts of his suicide are given by Plutarch, Anton., 76, 
and by Dio Cass., li, io, 6. 

Ill, io. 

On his mistress's birthday. 

' The Muses waked me and reminded me what day it was (1-4). May 
it be a day of good omen ! (5-10). Don my favorite gown and say your 
birthday prayers (11-18). Then we shall sacrifice to the gods and make 
merry together ' (19-32). 

1. Camenae : this is the only place where Propertius refers to the Muses 
by the Latin name. See Note on Tib., iv, 7, 3. 

4. manibus . . . crepuere : clapped their liands. 

5. in sicco : on the teach. Cf. Verg., 67., 1, 363. ponat : spend its 
force. The absolute use is rare, but of the winds is cited from Yergil 
and Ovid. 

8. Niobae . . . lapis : Xiobe's pride in her children led her to compare 
herself with Leto. In punishment, her children, six sons and six daugh- 
ters, were slain by Apollo and Artemis, and she was herself turned into a 
rock. This rock the ancients (cf. Pans., 1, 21, 3) identified with a part 
of Mt. Sipylus (between Lydia and Phrygia). 

9. Alcyonum : cf. Note on 1, 17, 2, and the phrase oKkvovqs iroXvirevdeos 
(Horn., 11., ix, 563). 

10. Ityn: Procne (or Progne), daughter of Pandion, king of Athens, 
was married to the Thracian kingTereus, and bore him a son Itys. After 
Tereus had violated her sister Philomela, Procne killed Itys and served 
him up on his father's table. When Tereus tried to take vengeance upon 
her and Philomela, he was changed into a hoopoe, Procne into a swallow, 
and Philomela into a nightingale. This version of the myth (which rests 
largely upon Sophocles's Trjpefc) is found in Ovid, Jf. , vi, 411. Observe 
again Propertius's habitual use of nee instead of neu, as below in line 
16. 

12. iusta : with poscentes. 

17. perennis : cf. 11, 2, 15 : heme utinam faciem nolit mutare senectus. 

13. ture: see Note on Tib., 11, 2, 3. 

20. flamma secunda : it was a good omen if the fire on the altar burned 
lustily. Cf. Ovid, P., iv, 9, 53 : surget. . .pins ignis ah ara \ detque 
bonum voto lucidus omen apex. 

21. currat : rarely used of time, as here ; cf. Hor., C. 11, 5, 13. 

22. murreas : yellowish. Cf. Porphyr. on Hor., G. t 111, 14, 22 : medius 
est inter flavum et nigrum. 

23. tibia : the flute will fail before the dance stops. 



212 COMMENTARY. [Ill, io,25-31; 

25. somnos : the same usage as English slumbers. 

28. ille puer : Amor. Cf. puer hie (i, 17, 15) said puer iste (1, 6, 23). 

29. trientibus: a triens was the third of a pint (sextarius). 

31. annua . . . sollemnia : cf . 1, 28, 62 for a somewhat similar jest. 

Ill, 11. 

' Do you wonder that I am the slave of a woman ? (1-8). Think of the 
power of women, think of Medea (9-12), Penthesilea (13-16), Omphale 
(17-20), Semiramis (21-26) — yes, think of Cleopatra and her dire intent — 
but Rome was saved (27-56). To Augustus belongs the glory (57-70). 
Therefore let every sailing-man give thanks to him, for he hath freed 
the sea ' (71, 72). 

1. Quid mirare: cf. iv, 2, 1, and Note on 1, 22, 2. 

2. addictum: a legal term indicating a 'bondman,' or debtor given 
over as servant to his creditor, Cf. 1. 32. 

3. fingis : cf. 1, 12, 1 : quid mihi desidiae non eessas finger e crimen ? 

6. didicit : Gnomic Perfect. 

7. ista . . . verba : the language 'which you are now using. 

9. Colchis : the list of famous women begins with Medea (for Colchis, 
cf. Note on 11, 1, 54), whose assistance to Jason in his quest of the golden 
fleece is here briefly touched on. flagrantis . . . tauros : Ovid (M., 
vii, 104) says of them, Vulcanum naribus efflant. 

10. humo : solitary example of the Abl. of this word used in its proper 
sense for in humo. 

11. serpentis : the dragon who guarded the fleece. Notice the transfer 
of the adjective feros. 

12. Aesonias . . . domos : Iolcos, the town of Jason's father Aeson. 

13. ab equo : d<£' lttttov. 

14. Maeotis . . . Penthesilea : the second heroine, Penthesilea, queen of 
the Amazons, who are here located on Lake Maeotis (the sea of Azov ; 
cf. 11, 3, 11). 

15. cassida: Yergil also shows this collateral form for cassis in A., 
xi, 775. 

16. victorem. . . virum : Achilles, by whom she was slain, is amazed by 
the beauty disclosed in removing the helmet. Probably Propertius (or 
his Alexandrian source) had in mind some famous statue or painting. 
Panainos had depicted the scene in the temple of Zeus at Olympia 
(Paus., v, 11, 6). 

17. Omphale : the third heroine, queen of Lydia. For love of her, 
Hercules consented to perform the tasks of a slave-girl. Observe the 
hiatus and the shortening of the e in Omphale in. Cf. Verg., 67., 1, 281: 



ii, 1-37.] " PROPERTIES. 213 

Pelio Ossam ; A., v, 261 : Uio alto. This occurs only here in Pro- 
pertius. 

18. Gygaeo . . . lacu : a lake in Lydia, north of Sardis, the Tvyairj \l/iptj 
of Homer (1L, 11, 865 ; xx, 390), named after Gyges, an old king of Lydia. 
puQlla: the word indicates youthfulness rather than maidenhood. She 
was the widow of Tmolus. 

20. dura . . . manu : in the same connection, Propertius (it, 9, 50) speaks 
of manibus dun's and Ovid (Her., ix, 77) of digitis duris. 

21. Semiramis : his fourth illustration, queen of Babylon, which she 
was said to have founded. Cf. Strabo, xvi, 1, 2 : Xefiipafiis tjs eo-n uria^a 
i] BafivXibv , and Iustin., 1, 2, 7 : haec Babyloniam condidit. 

22. cocto : i.e. of brick. 

23. currus : cf. Curt., v, 1, 23 : quadrigae inter se occurrentes sine 
periculo commeare dicuntur, and Strabo, xvi, 1, 5. This line and the 
next are hardly Latin ; tacto. . .ab axe seems in a general way to mean 
when the axle of the other chariot has been touched, ab being used of 
the point of view. 

24. ne : seems to indicate that a Design is assumed on the part of 
Semiramis, and statuit is used loosely as a verb of Effecting. 

25. Euphratem : cf. Her., 1, 185: rbv EixpprjTTjv, 6's crept dta rrjs woXios 
fMea-qs peeL. This was probably, however, no artificial arrangement (as is 
implied in duxit), but the city had been built on the two banks. 

26. Bactra : Diodorus (11, 6) describes the conquest of Bactra. 

28. Iuppiter : the power of woman might be illustrated by the various 
love-affairs of Juppiter. 

29. quae : Cleopatra, who, while forming the climax of his illustrations, 
steps beyond them and becomes from now on the main theme of the 
poem. 

30. trita: she who had worn herself out with her own menials. Dio 
Cass. (LI, 15. 4) calls her airX-qcrros ' AcppoSLr-qs. 

31. pretium : as a price for her favors, hence meretrix regina (1. 39). 
Cf. Flor., iv, 2 : mulier Aegyptia ab ebrio imperatore pretium libidinum 
Romanian imperium petiit. 

33. dolis aptissima : cf. Aesch., frg. , 299 ; deivol -rrXeKetv tol ^xa^ds 
AiyviTTioL', Bell. Alex., 7, 3 : aptissimum esse hoc genus ad proditionem 
dubitare nemo potest. 

35. tres . . . triumphos : Pompey triumphed three times — over Xumidia 
(b.c. 80) ; over Sertorius in Spain (b.c. 71) ; over Mithradates (b.c. 61). 

36. tibi : Rome ; but tibi in the next line refers to Pompey. 

37. Phlegraeo . . . campo : see Xote on 11, 1, 39. If Campania be meant, 
the reference is to his sickness at Naples (cf. Cic, These., i, 86); other- 
wise to the battle of Pharsalus. 



214 COMMENTARY. [Ill, II, 

38. socero : Julius Caesar, whose daughter Julia Pompey had married 
in B.C. 59. Julia died in B.C. 54. We have here another case of very 
careless Latin. Out of the previous line must be supplied melius fuit, 
and daturus eras is felt in a vague way to be equivalent to dedisses, 

.as it would be approximately in the Apodosis. 

39. meretrix regina : the same phrase is applied to Cleopatra by Pliny 
in the story of the pearl (JST. U., ix, 119) f . Canopi : Canopus, the 
' Baiae ' of Egypt, situated three miles east of Alexandria, and connected 
with it by a canal (cf. Strabo, xyii, i, 17). There is a superb sarcasm in 
calling Cleopatra queen of this infamous resort. 

40. Philippeo . . . sanguine : the Ptolemies were supposed to be descended 
from Philip of Macedon. Propertius's good opinion of them was prob- 
ably derived from the Alexandrian court poetry. The normal word 
for brand upon is inurere, and no other case of adurere in this sense is 
cited. The Abl. is also bold. 

41. latrantem . . . Anubim : Anubis was worshipped in the guise of a 
jackal. The Romans thought of him as a dog, hence he is called latrator 
by Verg., A., vm, 698, and Ovid, 31. , ix, 690. 

42. Tiberim Nili : the hostility of the two rivers is again indicated in 
lx i 33 > 20 : cum Tiberi Nilo gratia nulla fuit. 

43. sistro : cf. Vergil in his description of Actium (A.., vm, 696) : 
regina in mediis patrio vocat agmina sistro. 

44. baridos : (lapis, a heavy Egyptian transport (in shallow water pro- 
pelled by poles, hence contis) described by Herodotus (n, 96). Liburna : 
a kind of swift light boat called after the Liburnian pirates who first 
used them. Cf. Appian, Ulyr., v, 3. 

45. Tarpeio . . . saxo : the Capitol. Dio Cassius (l, 5, 4) says of 
Cleopatra : (bare. . .evxyv ttjp /jLeyicmju, oirore ti 6fju>ij0i, iroieivdai to 
ev rep KcnriTvXLix} diK&crcu. conopia : a conopium was a couch or bed 
covered by a canopy of mosquito netting. It was considered an 
effeminate luxury and would have been especially out of place at the 
Capitol. 

46. Mari : who had himself saved Rome from the invasions of other 
barbarians. Suetonius (Iul., 11) speaks of these memorials of Marius : 
tropaea C. Marii de Iugurtha deque Cimbris atque Teutonis olim a Sulla 
disiecta restituit (Jtdius). Cf. also Plut., Caes., 6. 

48. superba : i.e. Tarquinius Superbus. 

50. longum . . . diem : cf. Hor., C, 1, 2, 45: serus in caelum redeas 
diuque \ laetus intersis popido Quirini. 

52. Romula : i.e. Roman. Cf. the phrases Romula gens (Hor., C, iv, 
5, 1 and Carm. Saec, 47) and Romula tellus (Verg., A., vi, 876). The 
prose word is Romulea. 



38-69.] PROPERTIUS. 2 1 5 

53. bracchia : Propertius never lengthens a final vowel before two con- 
sonants. Tibullus does so occasionally. sacris : to Isis. colubris : 
Propertius follows here the popular idea that Cleopatra put an end to 
herself by means of asps (so also Verg., A., viii, 696 ; Hor., C, i, 37, 26). 
Another account substituted a phial of poison for the snakes (cf . Strabo, 
xvii, 1, 10; Plut., Ant., 86). As a matter of fact, no one knew the 
fashion of her death (cf. Dio Cass., lt, 14, 1), but the story of the asps 
gained credence through an incident in the triumphal procession of 
Augustus (Dio Cass., 1. 1. : ev t£? 6pL&fjL(3ip rrjs KXeoirdrpas avrrjs ei'dcoXov 

iKO/JLL^€TO Kal TTjS ddTTL^OS i/JL7Te(pVKVias). 

54. iter : a bold Cognate Accusative. 

55. cive : i.e. the citizen-in-chief Augustus. 

56. lingua sepulta : i.e. Antony. 

57. toto : for toti. See Note on Tib., it, 6, 9. 

59. Syphax: a prince of Numidia, an ally of Hannibal. Cf. Liv., 
xxiv, xxviii, xxix. Hannibal and Syphax are mentioned together by 
Juvenal (vi, 170). 

60. Pyrrhi: defeated at Beneventum, B.C. 275. 

61. Curtius : whose heroic self-sacrifice closed up a yawning chasm in 
the Roman Forum. Cf. Varro, L. L., v. 148 ; Liv., vu, 6. 

62. at: on the other hand. Decius : P. Decius Mus, at the battle 
of Mt. Vesuvius in B.C. 840 (cf. Liv., vin, 9), and his namesake, at the 
battle of Sentinum in b.c 295 (cf. Liv., x, 28) performed a devotio, offer- 
ing up their lives to obtain victory for Home. 

63. Coclitis : Horatius Codes, who held the bridge (cf. Liv., 11, 10, 2). 
Apparently a street in Rome was named after him. 

64. Corvus : M. Valerius Corvus, who was aided by a crow in his single 
combat with a Gaul. Cf. Liv., vu, 26. 

65. condiderant : the Pluperfect is so harsh that the temptation is very 
strong to read -erunt, with Systole. 

67. Scipiadae classes : the fleet which the elder Africanus constructed in 
B.C. 205, and with which he made the African expedition, thus bringing 
the Second Punic War to an end. Cf. Liv., xxviii. 40. Scipiadae : 
instead of the normal patronymic formation Scipionides, on account of 
the metre. signa Camilli : cf. Verg., A., vi, 825: referentem signa 
Camillum. The prose accounts of Camillus's victory over the Gauls 
(b.c. 390) say nothing of the standards. 

68. Bosphore : the Bosphorus Cimmerius, or Straits of Kertsch, con- 
necting the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, was reached by Pompey 
in his war against Mithradates. 

69. Leucadius ... Apollo : the Apollo of the island of Leucadia, near 
Actium. Cf. Verg , A., in, 274 ff. 



2l6 COMMENTAKY. [Ill, ii, 70-72 ; 16, 2-29 ; 

70. tantum operis : cf. in, 3,4. una dies : i.e. the day of the battle 
of Actium, Sept. 2, B.C. 31. 

71, 72. Cf. Hor., (7., iv, 5, 19 : pacatum volitant per mare navitae. 

Ill, 16. 

A lover is always safe. 

The dramatic situation — he fears alike to go and to stay (1-10). But, 
after all, a true lover has nothing to fear, for he is safe everywhere 
(11-20). An J even death, then, were not without its blessings (21-30). 

With the idea of the poem, cf. Tib., 1, 2, 27, 28 : quisquis amove tene- 
tuv, eat tutusque sacerque \ qualibet : insidias non timuisse decet. 

2. Tibure: modern Tivoli, situated about eighteen miles from Rome on 
the river Anio, a branch of the Tiber. 

3. ostendunt : the heights of Tibur can be seen from Rome. Cf. Strabo, 
v, 3, 11 ; Hor., C, in, 29, 6. 

4. Aniena : the falls of the Anio were famous in antiquity as in modern 
times. Cf. Strabo, v, 3, 11. 

5. obductis : the image is that of a curtain. 

11. sacros : because they are under the peculiar protection of the gods. 

12. Scironis : Sciron, a famous robber, on the rocky coast between 
Megara and Attica, was destroyed by Theseus. Cf. Plut., TJies., 10. 
sic : on this condition, i.e. if he is a lover. Similarly ita in 1, 19, 16. 

13. 14. Quoted in an inscription found in Pompeii (CIL., iv, 1950), 
with slight changes. 

16. Amor : he holds the tovch like a slave (puer) ; cf. 1, 3, 10 : et qua- 
tevent sera nocte facem pueri. 

17. saeva canum rabies : subject of avertit. 

20. exclusis : a concrete illustration of danger — a lover shut out of his 
mistress's house and thus subjected to the perils of the streets of Rome. 

21. certa . . . funera: sure death. 
23. haec: she, the beloved. 

25. terra ... frequenti : he does not wish to be buried near the high- 
road, as Cynthia herself w T as eventually. Cf. iv, 7, 4 : murmur ad ex- 
tremae. . .viae. 

28. arborea . . . coma : cf. 11, 13, 33. 

29. burner : let me be buried. 

Ill, 18. 

On the death of Marcellus. 

After describing the place where it occurred (1-10), and touching upon 
the especial sadness of the case (11-16), he reflects upon the universality 



18, 1-13.] PROPERTIUS. 217 

of death (17-24), and that might, beauty, and wealth avail not against 
it (25-30), and prays Charon to give him safe passage (31-34). 

Marcus Claudius Marcellus was the son of Octavia, the Emperor Au- 
gustus's sister. In B.C. 25 he married his cousin Julia, Augustus's 
daughter. Two years later (B.C. 23) he died at Baiae while under the 
care of the court physician, Antonius Musa. With this poem should be 
compared the eulogy of him in Vergil's Ae?ieid, vi, 860-887. 

1. umbroso . . . Averno : the lacus Avernus, the \ifivrj ' ' Axepovo-La, the en- 
trance to the lower world, was surrounded by thick woods. Cf. Verg , A., 
nr, 442 : Averna sonant ia silvis ; vi,238 : lacu nigro nemorumque tenebris. 

2. Baiarum: see Xote on 1, 11. stagna : the Ace. instead of the 
normal Dat. appears already in Cat., lxiv, 66. 

3. Misenus : the promontory south of Baiae was named after Misenus, 
the trumpeter of Aeneas, who was supposed to have been buried there. 
Cf. Verg., A., vi, 162-164, and 212 ff. It is still called Punta di Miseno. 

4. Herculeo : see Xote on 1, 11, 2. 

5. mortales : for mortalium by poetic transfer. 

6. Thebano . . . deo : would ordinarily mean Dionysus, for whom the 
cymbala would be especially suitable; but on account of the context it 
seems probable that the reference here is to Hercules, who was born at 
Thebes, and whose worship, being closelyconnected with that of Dionysus, 
borrowed certain of its features. 

9. pressus : the technical word to indicate the depressing effect of 
malarial disease. 

10. spiritus ille : Marcellus, whose name does not occur in the whole 
poem — an omission intended to indicate the greatness of his fame, which 
rendered such a precaution unnecessary, or perhaps to produce an effect 
of absolute subjectivity — the poet bewails his own loss and knows well 
enough of whom he speaks. Spiritus meaning a soul or spirit is rare, 
and confined to poetry and late prose. 

11. The defencelessness of even the great and the good against death 
is a commonplace of Roman poetry. Cf. iv, 11, 11 ff., and Ovid, Am., 
11, 6, 17. 

12. mate* : Octavia. Caesaris . . . focos : by his marriage to Julia, 
Augustus's daughter. In amplexum is perhaps a slight feeling of fleeing 
for refuge. 

13. 14. Marcellus was curule aedile in the year of his death, and with 
the support of Augustus celebrated the games in magnificent fashion. 

13. fluitantia vela : cf. iv, 1, 15 : sinuosa vela. The vela were awnings 
stretched across the theatre as a protection against the sun. Cf. Lucr., 
iv, 75 ff . 



2l8 COMMENTARY. [Ill, 18, 17-34; 

17. i: ironical ; cf. in, 7, 29 : ite, rates, etc. The line was imitated 
by Ovid, Her., ix, 105 : i nunc, tolls animos et fortia gesta recense ! 

18. stantia...in plausum: on the entrance of a prominent person into 
the theatre the andience were wont to express their homage by standing 
up and applauding. Cf. Hor., C, 1, 20 ; Suet., Aug., 56. 

19. Attalicas . . . vestes : see Note on 11, 13B, 22. 

21. hue : supply some verb of Motion, as tender unt. oinnes : on this 

sentiment of death as the universal lot, cf. Ovid, M., x, 34 : tendimus 
hue omnes ; Hor., C, 11, 3, 25 : oinnes eodem cogimur, omnium \ versatur 
urna. 

23. canis : the fear of Cerberus frequently recurs in Propertius, e.g. 
iv, 7, 52 : tergeminusque canis sicmihi molle sonet ; iv, n, 25 : Cerberus 
et nullas hodie petat inprobus umbras ; also iv, 5; 3. Cf. also Verg., A., 
vi, 400 : licet ingens ianitor antro \ aeternum latrans exsanguis terreat 
timbras ; Mart., v, 34, 3. 

25. ille : the typical man. 

26. protrahat : some editors think a tortoise is meant, others the brazen 
towers of Danae. 

27. Nirea: cf. Horn., 11., ir, 673: Ntpeus 6s kolWlo-tos dvrjp vTrb'TKiov 
i)\6ev. 

28. Croesum : see Xote on in, 5, 17. Pactoli: see Note on 1, 6, 32. 
30. magno : probably Ablative of Price ; but it may be construed with 

Atridae, and stetit be regarded as a strong fait. alter amor : Briseis, 

whom he took from Achilles after Chryseis had been restored to her 
father. 

33. Claudius : M. Claudius Marcellus, who captured Syracuse in B.C. 
212. 

34. Caesar: i.e. Julius. 

Ill, 21. 

A trip to Athens to cure the love-sick poet. 

He decides to go abroad and gives his reasons (1-10), describes in 
anticipation the journey thither (11-24), and pictures his employments 
there (25-34). 

In contrast to 1, 17, this seems like a genuine plan for a foreign trip. 

1. doctas . . . Athenas : see Note on 1, 6, 13. 

2. solvat : solvere, being a favorite in the poets and later prose, is used 
in a variety of meanings. With the Abl. it is rare, as also with de ; 
cf. 11, 1, 69. 

3. cura : love. 

5. possit : the Subjv. with an indefinite pronoun is not a classical con- 



21, 1-33.] PROPERTIUS. 2ig 

struction ; here, after the verb of Trial, quacumque approximates to si 
qua with the normal Subjunctive, according to Gr. 460, b. 

6. exomni: sc. parte. premit: cf. i, i, 4 : caput .. .pressit Amor ; 
and I, 9, 23, 24. 

7. admittit : the subject is the puella of I. 3, i.e. Cynthia, 1. 9. 

12. vices : the positions of the rowers and the relays of them were ar- 
ranged by lot. Cf. Verg., A., in, 510 : sortiti remos, where the scholiast 
Servius remarks : per sortem divisi ad officia remigandi qui esset proreta, 
quis pedem teneret. 

14. secundat : a poetical word of which this is probably the first example. 

16. The position of que is very remarkable. 

19. Lechaeo : the port of Corinth on the Corinthian gulf : the port on 
the Saronic gulf was Cenchreae. 

20. phaselus : a yacht, so called from its resemblance to a kidney-bean 
(<pd<n)\os) ; cf . Cat. , IV. 

21. quod superest : inasmuch as Propertius fancies himself finally arriv- 
ing at the port of Piraeus, he must have taken ship again, probably at 
Cenchreae. The quod superest, which was to be done on foot, would re- 
fer then merely to the crossing of the isthmus of Corinth. Ovid (Tr., i, 
io, 9) took ship again at Cenchreae, on his way to Tomis. 

23. Piraei : the port of Athens. 

24. Theseae : i.e. the city of Theseus, Athens. bracchia longa: 
([ACLKpa <TKe\r)) the long w r alls between the Piraeus and Athens. 

25. vel: either this is the first member of a combination, the second 
member following in different form in 1. 29, or, less probably, vel intro- 
duces the beginning of a series in the sense for instance. Platonis : 
the representatives of the Platonic school at that time were the philoso- 
phers of the Academy, who professed a sceptical system. 

26. hortis : the famous garden of Epicurus, afterwards owned by Mem- 
mius, to whom Cicero (ad Fain., xni, i) wrote in behalf of the followers 
of Epicurus, asking for its preservation. Construe aut persequar. 

27. Menandre : B.C. 342-291, the most famous representative of the 
school of the New Attic comedy. The Vocative is formed as if from a 
nominative Menandrus. 

30. manus : ivorks of art. Cf. the use of x € W €S % and ^^ so Petr., 83 : 
Zeuxidos manus and the Aetna, 599 : mille manus. 

32. lenibunt = lenient. This is the only case of archaic future in the 
Augustan Poets. Propertius has occasional examples of archaic Imper- 
fect, as in i, 3, 25. 

33. non turpi fractus amore : cf. for the opposite sentiment it, i, 47 : 
laus in amore mori. 



220 . COMMENTARY. [Ill, 22, 

III, 22. 
Laus Italiae. 

1 Tullus ! you prefer to live abroad and are forever praising foreign 
things (1-10), but Italy is better than all else (17-22). Think of the 
country landscapes (23-26). Then, too, there are no monsters here as 
in Greece (27-38), but there await you the honors of public life and the 
joys of domestic ' (39-42). 

With this poem may well be compared Vergil's beautiful lines on Italy 
(67., 11, 136-176), and Horace, C, 1, 7. In prose her praises are sounded 
by Varro, R. R., 1, 2 ; in the Augustan age by Dionys. Hal., 1, 36 ; 
Strabo, vi, 4, 1 ; Vitruv., vi, 1, 11 ; later by Pliny, N. H., xxxvn, 201 ; 
in, 39 ; and under the Severi by Aelian, Var. Hist., ix, 16. 

1. Cyzicus : a celebrated town in the northern part of Mysia, on the 
Propontis ; cf. Strabo, xir, 8, 11. 

2. Tulle: see Note on 1, 1, 9. fluit Isthmos : the causeway which 
connected Cyzicus with the mainland is, by a bold inversion of expres- 
sion, said to flow through the waters of the Propontis. 

3. Dindymus : a mountain near Cyzicus. Cybe^e : there was on 
Mt. Dindymus a shrine of Cybebe, or Cybele, the magna mater deorum, 
reputed to have been founded by the Argonauts and containing a statue 
of the goddess made out of a grape-vine. Cf. Apoll. Rhod., 1, 1119 and 
the Scholiast. 

4. raptoris . . . Ditis : Pluto's abduction of Proserpina was usually local- 
ized in Sicily at Henna, but occasionally here at Cyzicus. Appian (Mith., 
75) says that the town formed part of the dowry which Zeus promised 
Proserpina. 

5. Helles Athamantidos urbes : the cities of the Hellespont, notably 
Troy. Helle and her brother Phrixus were rescued from the designs of 
their father Athamas and conveyed across the sea by a ram with golden 
fleece sent by Hermes. The Hellespont received its name from their 
passage over it. 

7-10. The wonders of the West, 

7. Atlanta: Mt, Atlas in northwest Africa. Cf. Herod., iv, 184. 

8. Phorcidos : Medusa, daughter of Phorcys and Keto, slain by Perseus. 

9. Geryonis : one of the labors of Hercules was to obtain the cattle 
guarded by the three-headed monster Geryon. This myth also was 
localized in the West (Hes., Tlieog., 287), especially on the island of 
Erythea, near Cadiz (Herod., iv, 8; Strabo, in, 5, 4). signa: prob- 
ably the signs of this, struggle left on the ground. 

10. Herculis Antaeique : the wrestling match between Hercules and the 
s^iant Antaeus was located- in Libya on the coast of Mauretania, where 



1-29.] PROPERTIUS. 221 

traces of the struggle, left in the sand, were shown to the curious. Notice 
the elision at the close of the first half of the Pentameter. Propertius 
has one other case of this very uncommon license. 

11-16. The wonders of the East and the South (those of the East are 
mostly' connected with the expedition of the Argonauts). 

11. Phasin : a river of Colchis in the Caucasus. 

12. Peliacae . . . trabis : the ship Argo, made of a tree-trunk from Mt. 
Peliaco in Thessaly. Cf. Cat., lxiv, 1 : Peliaco prognatae vertice pinus. 
legas: skirt; confined to poetry in this sense. 

13. rudis: cf. n, 26, 39, 40 : cum rudis Argus \ dux erat ignoto missa 
columba mari. Argoa . . . columba : in passing through the Symple- 
gades — two cliffs which were wont to come together and crush what 
was passing between them — a dove was allowed to make trial of the pas- 
sage first, and its successful journey was accepted as a favorable omen. 
The Abl. is an extension of the Instrumental: thanks to the Argo's dove. 

15. Ortygia : generally means Delos, less often Syracuse, rarely, as 
here. Ephesus. Cf. Strabo, xiv, 1, 20 ; Plin., N. H., v, 115. Caystri : 
Ephesus was situated at the mouth of the river Caystrus. 

16. septenas: the Nile is referred to, often called septemgeminus, e.g. 
Cat., xi, 7 ; Verg., A., vi, 800. Cf. Prop., 11, 1, 32. The construction 
is a case of the 'inverted passive,' of which another example follows in 1. 
22. We want septenis (or septem) temperatur unda viis. 

18. Cf. Ovid, A, A., 1, 56 : haec liabet quidquid in orbe fuit. 

19. commoda: lending itself to. 

22. ira : i.e. Roma irata ; but see Note on 1. 16. 

23. Anio : see Note on in, 16, 4. Clitumnus : see Note on 11, 19, 25. 
It is also mentioned by Vergil in his eulogy of Italy (67., 11, 146). 

24. Marcius umor : see Note on ni, 2, 12. Pliny's opinion seems to 
justify Propertius in praising it (A 7 . II., xxxi, 41) : clarissima aquarum 
omnium in toto orbefrigoris salubritatisque palma praeconio urbisMarcia 
est inter reliqua deum munera urbi tributa. 

25. socia . . . ab unda: formed by allied ivaters ; the Alban lake and 
Lake Nemi are only about a mile and a half apart. 

26. Pollucis : the spring called Iutur/ia, in the Roman Forum between 
the temple of Vesta and the temple of Castor. According to tradition, Cas- 
tor and Pollux miraculously appeared there, watering their horses, after 
the battle of Lake Regillus in n.c. 498. Pollux is used here for both 
brothers, just as Castor alone is often used for both. 

27. Vergil in his eulogy remarks upon the same thing, whereat the 
scholiast Servius naively adds : sunt quidem serpentes in Italia, sed non 
tales quales in Aegypto aid in Africa. 

29. Andromedae : the mention of water snakes suggests the mythical 



222 COMMENTARY. [Ill, 22, 30-42; 

sea-monster (ktjtos), whose victim Andromeda nearly became. See Note 
on ir, 28, 21. pro matre : her mother, Cassiopeia had aroused the 

anger of Poseidon and the Nereids, who sent the monster. On the advice 
of the oracle of Juppiter Ammon, Andromeda was offered up to it. Notice 
the comparatio compendiaria. 

30. Ausonias . . . dapes : Italian banquets {Ausones is an old name for 
the inhabitants of Italy). Atreus, king of Mycenae, served up to 
Thyestes the latter's son in the guise of food. The sun-god (Phoebus) 
fled at beholding the scene. Cf. Serv. on Verg., A., 1, 568. This 
might happen at Mycenae, but never in Italy. 

32. matre : the life of Meleager, hero of the Caledonian boar-hunt, 
depended upon the preservation of a half -charred firebrand in the pos- 
session of his mother Althaea. In a moment of anger she burned it, 
and he, though far away, died instantly. Cf. Ovid, M., vni, 260 if., and 
the beautiful fifth ode of the recently discovered Bacchylides. movente : 
poetical of the setting in motion of the means of destruction. The prose 
word is afferre, 

33. Penthea : a king of Thebes, who opposed the worship of Dionysus 
and was destroyed by the Bacchantes, among whom w T as his own mother. 
Cf. Ovid, M., in, 511. in arbore : he took refuge in a tree and was 
torn away. Cf. Eurip., Bacch., 1093. Here arbore is probably the Col- 
lective Singular, as in in, 3, 13. 

34. subdita cerva : Agamemnon was about to sacrifice his daughter 
Iphigenia, that the Greek fleet, which was becalmed at Aulis, might set 
sail, when Artemis, substituting a hind, took Iphigenia to Tauris and 
made her her priestess. 

35. curvare : the Infin. after valere is poetical and post- Augustan. 
pelice : for the Io-myth see Note on 1, 3, 20. Here the metamorphosis 
seems to be thought of as complete. 

37. Sinis : called niTvoKdfjLirrrjs (the bender of fir-trees), a mythical 
character who infested the road over the isthmus of Corinth. He was 
accustomed to bend two trees toward each other, and then, fastening his 
victim to them, to allow them to spring apart. The Accusatives in this 
and the following lines must be governed by some word of general mean- 
ing supplied from the preceding context. Sinis may be Nom. or 
Genitive. 

38. Saxa : may refer to Sciron (see Note on ill, 16, 12), who thrust his 
victims off the cliff on to the rocks below. More probably, however, Pro- 
pertius localizes Sinis in the same region (as Strabo, ix, 1, 4, appears to 
do). in sua fata : because eventually Theseus applied his own method 
to him. 

39. parens : similarly Vergil (67., 11, 173) speaking of Italy : salve, 



23, 1-24] PROPERTIUS. 223 

magna parens frugum, Satumia tellus, | magna virum ; and Pliny 
(J\T. H., xxxyh, 201): Italia rectrix, parensque mundi altera, 

41. eloquium : the normal prose word is eloquentia. 

42. aptus amor : clinging love. 

HI, 23. 

On the loss of his writing tablets. 

After describing the tablets and expressing his gratitude to them 
(1-10), he wonders what may have been written on them at the time they 
were lost (11-18), and what use the finder may have put them to (19, 20). 
He offers a reward for their return (21,22) and bids his slave post the 
notice on a pillar (23, 24). 

With this poem may be compared Ovid, Am., 1, 12. 

1. Ergo: see Xote on 1, S, 1. periere : are lost, so in the 'lost- 
notice ' found in Pompeii (CIL., iv, 64) : itrna aenia pereit detaberna. 

2. quibus : either Abl. of Place or Dative with par iter, a later poetical 
construction. 

4. non signatas : he recognized them even without the seal to assist 
him. 

6. verba diserta : hence they are called doctae tabellae, 1. 1. 

7. fixum . . . aurum : gold frame. 

14. crimina ficta : slanders. 

15. cessabimus : play the truant. 
17. non stulta : litotes. 

19. avarus : what Propertius fears for his tablets, Ovid in anger de- 
sires for his {Am., 1, 12, 25) : inter ephemeridas melius tabulasque iace- 
rent, \ in quibus absumpAas fleret avarus opes. 

22. ligna : so Ovid to his tablets (Am., 1, 12, 7, 13) : funebria ligna, 
inutile lignum. 

23. puer : i.e. the slave. columna : of some public building. 

24. Esquiliis : Maecenas lived on the Esquiline. and Vergil near him ; 
cf. Suet., p. 57 (Reiff.) : habuit domum Romae Esquiliis iuxta hortos 
Mascenatis. Possibly Propertius's house was a present from Maecenas. 

IV, 2. 

The oXnov of Vertumnus, whose statue stood in the Vicus Tuscus near 
the Forum. * 

The god introduces himself (1, 2), tells his origin (3-6), explains his 
name (7-48) [a vertendo amne (7-10), a vertente anno (11-18), deus qui 
vertitur (19-48)] and also that of the Vicus Tuscus (49-56), and relates 
the story of his statue and its artist (57-64). 



224 COMMENTARY. [IV, 2, 

On the aetiological poems of Bk. iv, cf. Introd., 31. 

Vertumnus (old participial form vortomenos, cf. auctumnus, alumnus) 
seems to have been a god of fertility. He had a temple on the Aventine, 
founded in B.C. 264, where sacrifice was made to him yearly on August 
13th. With this poem (esp. 1. 23 if.) may be compared Ovid, M., xiv, 
623 ff. 

1. 2. Similarly the opening lines of iv, 4 and iv, 10 state the theme. 
Cf. also in, 11, 1 : quid mirare, meam si versat femina vitam f 

2. signa : the spot seems to have been known as the signum Vertumni. 
Cf. Li v., xliv, 16, 10. 

3. Tuscus ego: similarly Varro (L. L., v, 46) : deus Etruriae princeps. 
In reality he was a genuine Roman deity, and the idea of his connection 
with Etruria seems to have arisen simply because his statue stood in the 
Vicus Tuscus. orior : observe the use of the Present tense and see 
G. 230, n. 2 ; A. & G. 276, a. 

4. Volsinios : a town in Etruria about sixty-five miles north of Rome. 
Though it does not seem probable that the god came from there, the 
town and the god were in some way connected in the minds of the 
Romans, for in B.C. 264 M. Fulvius Flaccus, who had triumphed over 
Volsinii, dedicated a temple to Vertumnus. The prose form would be 
Volsinienses. 

5. turba : the Yicus Tuscus was one of the busiest streets of Rome. 
Cf. Hor., S., 11, 3, 228 : Tusci turba inpia vici, templo: this would 
only have hindered his vision. 

6. Forum : the statue faced the Forum. 

7. hac: the whole region was low-lying and exposed to frequent 
inundations. Cf. Hor., C, 1, 2, 13. 

8. Cf. Tib., 11, 5, 33 : at qua Velabri regio patet, ire solebat \ exiguus 
pulsa per vada linter aqua. 

9. alumnis : the Romans are so called because Rhea Silvia, the mother 
of Romulus and Remus, became the wife of the river-god Tiber. 

10. verso . . . ab amne : the same etymology in Ovid, F., vi, 409 : nomen 
ab averso ceperat amne deus; and the same story in Serv. on Verg., 
A., viii, 90. 

11. vertentis . . . anni : the second etymology. 

13. variat: changes its color (intransitive). liventibus . . . racemis : 

cf. Hor., C, 11, 5, 10 : lividos racemos. 

15. cerasos : for cerasa ; see the reverse confusion in Tib., 1, 1, 8. 

16. aestivo: it was a summer berry. Cf. Hor., S., 11, 4, 21. mora 
rubere : Vergil (cf. B., vi, 22) speaks of sanguineis moris. Cf. also Copa, 
1. 19: mora cruenta. The phrase is one of three objects of cernis, the 



1-51.] PROPERTIUS. 225 

other two being simple Accusatives (cerasos. . .pruna). Cf. Hor., C, 1, 
i, 19-21 : nee pocula nee partem demere spernit. 

18. invito stipite : by grafting, i.e. contradicting nature. 

20., Of. Ovid's request of Flora (F., v, 191) : ipsa doce, quae sis; ho- 
minum sententia fallax : \ optima tu proprii nominis auetor eris. 

22. Cf. Tib., iv, 2, 13 : talis in aeterno felix Vertumnus Olympo 
I mille Tiabet omatus, mille decorus habet. In this line and the next 
observe the protasis of the Condition formed by an Imperative. 

23. Cois: see Note on Tib., 11, 3, 53. non dura: i.e. mollis. 

25, 26. Cf. Ovid, M., xiv, 645 : tempora saepe gerens faeno religata 
reeenti | desectam poterat gramen versasse videri. 

27. arma tuli quondam : cf. Ovid, M., xiv, 651 : miles erat gladio. 

28. in . . . ponder e : the Ablative with in is almost equivalent to a 
Causal Ablative Absolute. Cf. 1, 3, 44 : in externo amove. messor : 
cf. Ovid, M., xiv, 643 : quotiens habitu duri messoris aristas \ corbe 
tulit, verique fuit messoris imago. 

31. mitra: the turban. In Orpli. Hymn., lii, 4, Bacchus is called 
fiLrprjcf)6pos. Cf. Prop., in, 17, 30: einget Bassaricas Lydia mitra comas. 
Iacchi : "Iclkxos = Bacchus. Cf. 11, 3, 17. 

32. Phoebi : sc. speciem. 

33. arundine : the lime-twigs used in fowling. 

34. Faunus : identified by the poets with the Greek Pan. plumoso : 
bold use of the adjective for the Genitive. 

36. alterno . . . equo : the reference is to the desultor, a kind of circus- 
rider who leaped from horse to horse (lit. on alternate horse). Cf. 
Man., v, 85 : nee non alterno desultor sidere dorso \ quadrupedum et 
stabilis poterit defigere plantas \ jerque volabit equos ludens per terga 
volantum ; Ovid, Am., 1, 3, 15. 

37. hie: sc. calamus. Cf. Ovid's description (M., xiv, 651) : (erat) 
piscator arundine sumpta. 

38. demissis . . . tunicis : the opposite of succinctus. 

39. ad baculum : to the accompaniment of a crook, i.e. given a 
sheperd's crooh, parallel to suppetat (1. 37). curare : act the part of, 
perform the duties of. 

40. pulvere = the amphitheatre. Cf. Ovid, 3L, vn, 543 ; F., 11, 360, 
ferre rosam : as a flower-seller. 

46. langueat : wilt. It has been plucked and made into a garland for 
the god. Cf. Verg., A. } ix, 435 : purpureus .veluti cum flos succisus 
aratro languescit moriens. ante : Local, not Temporal. 

48. patria: i.e. of the Fathers, the old Romans. Cf. 1. 2, signa paterna. 

49. praemia : by naming a street after them ; cf . 1. 50. 

51. Lycomedius: the Etruscan Lucumo, who came to help Romulus 
15 



226 COMMENTARY. [IV, 2, 53-63; 

against the Sabines under Titus Tatius. Cf. Serv., A., v, 560 ; Dion. 
Hal., ii, 37, 2 ; Cic\, de Rep., n, 14. 

53. caduca : fallen, not, as often, destined or prone to fall. 

54. terga . . . fugae : a mixture of two constructions, terga dare and se 
dare fugae. 

55. divum sator: cf. Vergil's phrase (A., i, 254 ; xi, 725), hominum 
sator atque deorum. 

56. togata : i.e. of citizens. 

57. sex versus : i.e. 11. 59-64. vadimonia: those employed in the 
great business region of the Yelabrum and the Forum Boarium, and who 
had legal appointments in the Forum, were compelled to pass the statue 
of Vertumnus on their way thither. 

58. creta: the goal-mark, formerly called calx. Cf. Sen., Ep., cvm, 32: 
Jianc quam nunc in circo cretam vocamus, calcem antiqui dicebant. 

60. ante Numam : i.e. under Romulus, when the cult was supposed to 
have been introduced; cf. 1. 51. 

61. Mamuri : the mythical artist Mamurius Veturius, who made the 
shields for the Salii. 

62. tellus . . . veterat : cf . the formula sit tibi terra levis, and Note on 
Tib , ii, 6, 30. 

63. dociles = doctos. Cf. indociles, I, 2, 12 and Note. 

IV, 3. 

Arethusa to Lycotas. 

* Excuse the poor writing, but my hand trembles, and tears blot the 
page which I am sending you (1-6) — you who are far away where all 
nations may behold you (7-10), all the world except me ? Is this your 
marriage troth? (11-18). A curse upon him who invented war! (19-22). 
But, tell me, are you well ? (23-28). As for me, time hangs heavy 
(29-42). Would that I were with you ; as it is, I await you (43-62). 
Come ! but at any rate be tru^e to me ' (63-72). 

This is probably the first love-letter in Roman poetry, though Ovid's 
Heroides may have been nearly contemporaneous. 

1, 2. suo. . . meus : cf. Ovid, Her. y v, 1 : nympha suo Paridi, quamvis 
suus esse recuset. Lycotae: the attempts to identify him with the 
Lupercus of iv, 1, 93, or with the Postumus of in, 12, are alike unsatis- 
factory. 

2. cum . . . absis : dependent upon si poles. This position of the cum 
clause is a favorite one in Cornelius Nepos. Cf. Milt., 6, 3, and Nipper- 
dey's Note. 

4. litura : cf. Ovid, H. y 111, 3: quascumque adspicies, lacrimae fecere 



3, 1-21.] PROPERTIES. 227 

lituras ; H., xi, 3 : si qua tamen caecis errabunt scripta lituris, oblitus a 
dominae caede libellus erit. 

5, 6. incerto, morientis : a good example of Propertian exaggeration, as 
the rest of the poem shows. 

7. iteratos : cf. iterabimus aequor (Hor., C, I, i, 32); the extension of* 
this verb to the meaning repeat is poetical. Bactra : the chief city 
of Bactria. 

8. munito . . . equo : horses and riders alike were cataplxracti, armed 
with a coat of mail. Neuricus : a people of Scythia. 

9. Getae : a tribe on the Danube. curru : chariots played a great 
role in British warfare. Cf . Caesar, B. G. , iv, 24, 1 : equitatu et esse- 
dariis quo plerumque genere uti consuerunt. 

10. Eoa . . . aqua : Local Ablative; see G. 385, N.' 1 ; A & G. 258, /, 3 ; 

B. 228, 1, d. Indus : the reference is to the Ethiopian expedition of 

C. Petronius, prefect of Egypt, circa B.C. 24. For Indus referring to 
Ethiopia, cf. Verg., 67., iv, 293. 

11. Cf. Ovid, Her., vi, 41: heu ubi pacta fides? ubi conubalia iura, 
I faxque sub arsuros dignior ire rogos ? 

12. rudis : intacta. victa : probably Xom. Sing., but the presence 
of rudis makes also for the Accusative. 

13. deductae : referring to the procession which brought the bride to 
the bridegroom's house. 

14. ab everso . . . rogo : her marriage torch had been lighted at a funeral 
pyre. Cf. Ovid, 31., vi, 430 (describing the unlucky marriage of Tereus 
and Procne) : Eumenides tenuere faces de funere raptas. 

15. Stygio : contrast the directions given by Servius(J.., iv, 167) : aqua 
petita de purofonte interest nuptiis. recta : woven on an old-fashioned 
vertical loom. Cf. Festus, p. 277 (M.) : quod a stantibus et in altitudinem 
texuntur ; Plin., N. H., vnr, 194 : rectam tunicam, qualis cum toga 
pur a tirones induuntur novaeque nuptae. 

16. vitta: cf. Xote on iv, 11, 34. deo : Hymenaeus. Cf. Cat., 
lxt, 46 : quis deus mag is anxiis est petendus amantibus ? ; Ovid, 3L, vi, 
428 : non Hymenaeus adest. 

17. vota : vows caused by his frequent absences and made perhaps to 
Fortuna Redux and the Lares Viales. 

18. quarta: seems to imply that this was his fourth absence. 

19. qui: the evper^. See Note on Tib., 1, 10, 1. 

20. per: by means of, i.e. by boring the ossa through. querulas 
...ossa: an example of Propertian 'sab-construction,' for rauca per 
ossa is to be construed closely with querulas ; cf. iv, 11, 29. 

21. Ocno : as fast as Ocnus made the rope, his donkey consumed it. 
The most famous representation of the scene was in Polygnotus's painting 



228 COMMENTARY. [IV, 3, 

of the Lower World, at Delphi. Cf. Paus., x, 29, 2, and Aristoph., 
Ran., 186. 

23. lorica : the straps of the breastplate might easily chafe his shoul- 
ders. 

27. opto : without ut is very rarely found. 

28. desiderio . . . meo : longing for me ; the Possessive pronoun instead 
of the (Objective) Genitive of the Personal pronoun. 

29. Vesper : is said to bring the night, just as Aurora brings the day; 
induxi brings up the image of putting on a garment. 

31. Cf. Ovid, Am., 1, 2, 2 : neque in lecto pallia nostra sedent. 

32. auctores : in the sense of vouchers or sureties. Cf. Ovid, Am., 11, 
6, 34 : graculus auctor aquae. 

33. castrensia pensa : cf . 1. 18. 

34. radios: shuttles. 

35. Araxes : a river of Armenia, but the next line transfers the scene to 
Parthia. 

37. tabulas : map. pictos : cf. Varro, R. R., 1, 2, 1 : spectantes 
in pariete pictam Italiam. mundos: i.e. parts of the world. 

38. positura dei : disposition made by God. See G. 362, r. 2. 

39. ab : in consequence of, a mannerism of Propertius. Strictly speak- 
ing, it is superfluous ; cf. in, 2, 23. 

41. pallida : she is herself troubled and does not believe in her own 
excuses. 

43. Hippolyte : queen of the Amazons, connected with both Hercules 
and Theseus. The obtaining of her girdle was one of the labors of Hercu- 
les. Probably, however, Propertius has in mind her love-affair with 
Theseus, abetter illustration for her theme. Cf. also Stat., Theb., xn, 
534. nuda ... papilla : cf. Prop., in, 14, 13: qualis Amazonidum 
nudatis bellica mammis. 

44, 45. barbara . . . Romanis : contrasted. 
44. molle caput : her woman's head. 

46. Cf. Ovid, H., in, 68 (Briseis to Achilles) : non ego sum classi 
sarcina magna tuae. 

47. pater : Juppiter. 

48. adstricto . . . frigore : the phrase close-bound cold is curious, but cf. 
adstricto. . .gelu, Ovid, Tr., 11, 196 ; in, 4, 48. 

50. vivat: often used of fire. Cf. Ovid, F., iv, 553 : vivente favilla: 
live coal. ventilat: i.e. quatit. Observe the alliteration. 

51. nam mihi quo 1 : for what is going to become of me 9 

51,52. Preparations for his home-coming. crystallus : it was used 

to cool the hands and is sometimes mentioned along with fans. It was 
thought to have been formed originally from ice. Cf. Sen., Q. N., 111, 



23-71.] PROPERTIUS. 229 

25, 12 ; tcpij<TTa\\ov appellant (Graeci) aeque hunc perlucidum lapidem 
quam illam glaciem, ex qua fieri lapis creditor. 

53. surda: used in the passive sense, that which is not heard, i.e. 
silent, still. The active meaning, not hearing, i.e. deaf, is more com- 
mon, kalendis . it was customary to make offering to the Lares on 
the first day of each month. Cf. Tib., 1, 3, 34 : menstrua tura Lari. 

54. clausos : in the aedicula or Lararium. 

55. Glaucidos : observe that the dog's name is Greek (like a modern 
1 French ' poodle). 

57. flore: Collective Singular. verbenis : cf. Servius on Verg., A., 
xii, 120 : verbena*, vocamus omnes frondes sacratas, ut est laurus, oliva 
vet myrtus. compita : the shrines of the Lares Compitales, at the 
cross-roads. 

58. crepat : see Note on Tib., 11, 5, 81. herba Sabina : a cheaper and 
more primitive substitute for incense. Cf. Plin., N. H., xxiv, 102: 
herba Sabina . . . amtcltis in suffitus pro hire adsumitur. 

59. noctua : the night-owl, a bird of ill-omen, like the bubo (see Note 
on 11, 28B, 38). 

60. tangi : when the lamp sputtered, it was customary to sprinkle it 
with wine. The sputtering was accounted a good omen, indicating gen- 
erally that a guest was coming. Cf. Ovid, Her., xvin, 151: sternuit et 
lumen, posito nam scribimus illo, | sternuit et nobis prospera signa dedit. 
I Ecce, merum nutrix faustos instillat in ignes; \ crasque erimus plures, 
inquit, et ipsa bibit. 

61. agnis : slaughtered in honor of his return. Cf. Hor., Up., 1, 3, 36 : 
pascitur in vestrum reditum votiva iuvenca. 

62. succincti : the regular costume of the assistant priests. Cf. Ovid, 
F., 1, 319 ; iv, 413 : succinctus minister ; Suet., Cat., 32 : succinctas 
poparum habitu. 

64. odorato . . . duci : cf. Tib., 1, 5, 36 : odoratos Armenios. carbasa 

lina : carbasus, which itself means linen, is used here adjectively with Una 
to express an added degree of fineness. 

66. versis . . . equis : see Note on 111, 9, 54. 

68. pura . . . liasta : a pointless spear (Servius on Verg., A., vi, 760: 
hasta. . .sine ferro), given, like the modern Victoria Cross, as a reward 
for unusual bravery. 

70. lege : condition. 

71. portae . . . Capenae : where those returning from Brundisium by the 
Via Appia would enter Rome. 



23O COMMENTARY. [IV, 4, 

IV, 4. 

The romance of Tarpeia. 

Introduction (1, 2). The scene (3-14). Tarpeia's infatuation (15-30), 
her soliloquy (31-66), and troubled slumber (67-72). Rome takes holi- 
day (73-80), and Tatius makes a night attack (81-86). Tarpeia receives 
her reward (87-92). Conclusion (93, 94). The original mercenary con- 
tent of the Tarpeia-legend (cf. Li v., i, ir ; Dionys. Hal., n, 39, 40 ; 
Plut., Rom., 17) is changed here into a love-story. Plutarch (I. c.) tells 
us of a certain poet Simylas, who introduced a similar change of motif, 
setting the whole story, however, in the time of the invasion of the Gauls. 
With the form of the myth as Propertius has it, may be compared the 
story of Scylla, daughter of Nisus, king of Megara, and that of Nanis, 
daughter of Croesus. 

1. sepulcrum : Tarpeia was supposed to have been buried on the Capitol. 
Her tomb is the oXnov which gave the poem its birth. Cf. Varro, L. L., v, 
41 : hie mons ante Tarpeius dictus, a virgine Vestale Tarpeia, quae ibi ab 
Sabinis necata armis et sepult a ; ~P\ut., Rom., 18: rrjs Tapiryjias iicec 
racpeicrrjs 6 \6cpos (bvofxa^ero Tapwqi'os. 

2. antiqui. . . Iovis : in contrast to the new Temple built in B.C. 78 to 
replace the one which had been burned. 

3. felix: in the old meaning of fertile, i.e. luxuriant ; ctfelicis. . .sil- 
vas (Verg., G., 11, 81) ; felix arbor (Liv., v, 24). 

With these lines (1-3) may be compared Ovid, Am., in, 1, 1 fi°. 

4. nativis : in contrast with water brought in pipes. obstrepit : 
outrustles. arbor : Collective. 

5. Silvani . . . domus : groves were often thought of as sacred to Silvanus. 
Cf. the one mentioned in Verg., A., vni, 597 and that in Plautus's Aul. y 
674 (where Silvanus = Pan). 

6. poturas ire : we should expect potum ire. 

7. Tatius: i.e. Titus Tatius, the leader of the Sabines. praecingit : 
Propertius conceives of the Sabine fortifications as running close up to, 
but not including the spring. Cf . 1. 15. 

8. coronat : similarly Ovid, M., v, 388: silva eoronat aquas, cingens 
latus omne. 

9. Curetis : from the old Sabine capital of Cures. 

10. lento : long drawn out. saxa Iovis : the Capitoline hill, upon 
which Juppiter's temple was situated. 

13. mums : the wall built by Romulus is apparently left out of ac- 
count, curia saepta : in the northeast corner of the Forum. 



1-39.] PROPERTIES. 23 1 

14. fonte : not to be confounded with the fons of 11. 7 and 15. bibo : 
takes the Ace. more often even if the conception is partitive. 

15. Cf. Livy's account (1, n, 6) : aquam forte ea (Tarpeia) turn sacris 
extra moenia petitum ierat. deae : Yesta. fontem: the one de- 
scribed in 1. 7. 

16. medium . . . caput : the crown of her head. fictilis urna : cf . 
Schol. on Pers., 11, 59 : virgines Vest ales vasts fictilibus usae sunt ; and 
Ovid's account of Rhea Silvia (F., hi, 11) : ponitur e summa fictilis urna 
coma. 

17. et : often used, like /cat, to introduce an emphatic question or ex- 
clamation, una ... mors : cf. Hor., C, 111, 27, 37: levis una mors 
est I virginum culpae; Soph., Ant., 308: oi>x fy"V "Al8t]s /xoOpos 

dpK€(T€L. 

19, 20. Tatius is thought of here as a young man, though Vergil (A., 
viii, 638) calls him senex. It is natural, under ordinary circumstances, 
to conceive of a patriarch as old. 

22. inter : from between. The Latin cannot double the preposition, 
excidit : cf. Tib., iv, 2, 3, 4 : at tu, violente, caveto \ ne tibi miranti tur- 
piter arma cadant. 

23. causata est: cf. Tib., 1, 3, 17. 

24. in : omitted in prose, which regards the case as Instrumental. 

25. Nymphis : water-sprites, who would naturally be worshipped at the 
spring. 

26. Romula : poetical for Eomulea. 

27. primo . . . fumo : at nightfall when the fires are being lighted in 
preparation for the coming meal ; cf. Verg., B., 1, 82 : et iam summa 
procul villarum culmina fumant \ maioresque cadunt altis de montibus 
umbrae. 

29. Tarpeia . . . arce : proleptic title. 

30. vicino : the Tarpeian rock is near to the temple of Juppiter. 

32. oculis . . . meis : mihi. 

33. vestros : i.e. Sabinorum. 

34. captiva : although a prisoner. conspicer : have sight of. 

35. montes : sc. valeant. 

36. pudenda : not shameful, but shamed. 

37. meos . . . amores : my darling, i.e. Tatius. 

38. cui : the horse which she envies. Cf. Ovid, Am., 11, 15, 7 (to a 
ring which he has presented to his mistress) : felix, a domina traetaberis, 
anule, nostra; Theocr., in, 12 : aide yevolixav a fiofipevcra yLteXttrcra Kalis 
rebv avrpov LKoLfiav. dextras . . . iubas : ivith his own hand dresses the 
mane to the right. 

39. Scyllam : Scylla, daughter of Xisus, king of Megara, cut off the 



232 COMMENTARY. [IV, 4, 

fateful lock of her father's hair, that Minos might capture the town. Cf . 
Ovid, M., viii, 6 if. and the Pseudo-Vergilian Ciris. 

40. canes : Propertius confounds her with the other Scylla, the sea- 
monster, daughter of Phorcys. Similar confusion in Lucr., v, 893 ; 
Verg., B., vi, 74 ; Ovid, Am., 11, 12, 21 ; F., iv, 500. 

41. fraterai . . . monstri : the Minotaurus, whose mother Pasiphae was 
also the mother of Ariadne. Theseus was assisted by Ariadne in the 
killing of the Minotaurus. 

42. lecto stamine : by gathering up the clew, the thread given him by 
Ariadne, by means of which he found his way out of the labyrinth. 

43. Ausoniis : see Note on in, 22, 30. 

44. inproba : cf. probro (1. 36) and observe the juxtaposition inproba 
virgineo. 

45. Pallados : Vesta, so called because the Palladium was kept in her 
temple ; cf. Cic, pro Scaur., 47 : Palladium illud, quod quasi pignus 
nostra salutis at que imperii custodiis Vestae continetur. 

48. tu: Tatius. 

49. perfida . . . tacentes . the path was treacherous, because the water 
was noiseless and gave no warning. 

50. semper : with fallaci. aquas : the water plays a great role in 
Ovid's accounts (M., xiv, 775 ; F., 1, 261). 

51. magicae . . . Musae : possibly a reference to the incantations of 
Medea, who helped Jason. 

52. haec quoque : my tongue too. 

53. toga picta : a purple garment embroidered in gold, worn by the 
triumphator and by the statue of Juppiter Optimus Maximus in the 
Capitoline temple. quein : Romulus. 

54. nutrit : on the tense, see Note on iv, 1, 3. dura papilla : cf. 11, 
6, 20 : nutritus duro, Romule, lacte lupae. 

55-58. Just as Tarpeia offers Tatius the alternatives of taking her as 
his bride or his slave, so Ariadne addresses Theseus (Cat., lxiv, 158-161): 
si tibi non cordi fuerant conubia nostra, \ . . .at tamen in vesiras po- 
tuisti ducere sedes, \ quae tibi iucundo familiar er serva labor e. 

56. dos . . . Koma : cf . the bargain of Antony and Cleopatra, in, 
11, 31. 

58. alterna . . . vices : repay the debt of ivrong by the law of requital. 
repende : the common prose word is referre or reddere. 

59. conmissas . . . acies : cf. the story of the Sabine women in Liv., 1, 
11, and Ovid, F., in, 217. 

61. Hymenaee : cf. Cat., lxi, 12 : nuptialia concinens voce carmina tin- 
nula. 

63. quarta . . . bucina : marking the beginning of the fourth and last of 



40-94.] PROPEKTIUS. 233 

the night watches (vigiliae) ; bucina is horn, not trumpet. Cf,, how- 
ever, tuba (1. 80). 

64, 65. Cf. Verg., A., 11, 9 : suadentque cadentia sidera somnos. 

68. furiis : is thought of as personified in accubuisse and as abstract in 
novis. 

69. tutela: cf. Ovid, F., vi, 258 : flammae custos. . .dea. 

70. in ossa: cf. Verg., A., 1, 659, where Cupid is sent to Dido : ut 
. . .furentem | incendat reginam atque ossibus inplicet ignem. 

71. Thermodonta : a river of Pontus. 

72. Strymonis : a Thracian Amazon. The same connection of Thrace 
and Pontus in Verg., A., xi, 659 -..quotes Threiciae cum flumina Ther- 
modontis \ pulsant etpictis betlantur Amazones armis. 

73. festus : supply dies by anticipation from following line. Pa- 
rilia : the festival of the birthday of Rome, celebrated on April 21. 

74. moenibus : cf. Ovid, J/., xiv, 774: festisque Palilibus urbis moenia 
conduntur. 

76. madent : generally of drink, here of food. Cf. Plaut., Jlen., 326 : 
iam ergo haec madebunt faxo. 

77. raros : i.e. placed at intervals. acervos : cf. Tib., 11, 5, 87, and 
Note. 

78. ebria: cf. Tib., 11, 5, 87: at madidus Baccho sua festa PaliMa 
pastor concinet. 

80. intermissa . . . tuba : since the guards have been dispensed with, 
guard signals are unnecessary. 

82. pacta . . . pactis 1 for a similar repetition, cf . iv, 7, 92 : vehimur, 
vectum. 

83. festoque : the que is almost equivalent to Hague, The hill was 
hard to ascend, and therefore left unguarded on this holiday. 

84. nee mora : one of Ovid's favorite formulae for a transition. vo- 
cales . . . canes : the baying hounds ; i.e. the baying of the hounds. 

85. Iuppiter : whose sanctuary Tarpeia was about to betray. 

86. tuis : Tarpeia. 

89. hostes : although he was a foe. 

90. regni : an ironical allusion to 1. 55, regina. 

91. The orthodox account of her death is retained here by Propertius, 
although thus in combination with the erotic motif it has lost its point. 
Cf. Liv., 1, 11, 7 : obrutam armis necavere. 

92. virgo : ironical. 

94. vigil : Tarpeia. praemia : the glory of having the hill named 

after her. 



234 COMMENTARY. [IV, 6, 



IV, 6. 

An aetiological poem on the temple of Apollo on the Palatine, which 
was dedicated in B.C. 28. The poet, as priest of the Muses, prepares to 
offer sacrifice and praise to the Palatine Apollo, the god of Actium (1-14). 
He sketches the scene on the day of the battle (15-26), describes the 
Epiphany of Apollo (27-36), tells his speech (37-54), and indicates how 
the victory was won (55-68) and how it ought to be celebrated (69-86). 
This poem itself was written in b.c 16 (cf. 1. 77 and Note) on the occa- 
sion of the fourth celebration of the ludi quinquennales in honor of 
Apollo. With the description of the battle of Actium should be com- 
pared Vergil's account in connection with the shield of Aeneas (A., 
vni, 675 fl\). 

I. vates : see Note on in, i, 3. faventia : see Note on Tib., n, i, 1. 

3. serta: fem. form instead of the more common sertum ; cf. Prop., 
n, 33, 37, sertae. Phileteis : for Philetas of Cos ; cf. Introd., 7 ; cer- 
tare with Dat. is poetical. 

4. Cyrenaeas : the reference is to Callimachus of Cyrene. Cf. Introd., 7. 

5. costum: cf. Plin., N. H., xn, 41 : radix et folium Indis in maxima 
pretio, radix costi gustu ferveris, odore eximia. blandi . . . turis : cf. 
Lygd. (Tib.), in, 3, 2: blanda. . Jura honores : offering. Cf. Verg., 
A., in, 118: meritos aris mactavit honores ; in, 547: iussos adolemus 
honores. 

6. ter: cf. Tib., 1, 5, 11. laneus orbis : the wreath of wool. Cf. 
Verg., B., vni, 64 : effer aquam et molli cinge haec altaria vitta. 

8. Mygdoniis : the flute is pictured as pouring forth sound like wine from 
a jar. The jars are called Mygdoniis (Phrygian), because the flute was 
supposed to have been invented in Phrygia. Cf. Paus., x, 30, 9 ; and 
also Mosch., 1, 97 : avXbs ^Mvydovios. eburna : i.e. inlaid with ivory. 

9. procul: see Note on Tib., 11, 1, 11 ; fraudes indicates the malicious 
motive, noxa the actual mischief. 

10. novum . . . iter : referring probably to the aetiological poetry, in the 
style of Callimachus, which he was introducing into Rome. laurea : 
sacred to Apollo. 

II. The line is virtually the title of the poem. 

12. Calliope : see Note on n, 1, 3. 

13. Caesaris ... Caesar : observe the position. nomen : glory. 
ducimtur : a metaphor from spinning. Cf. Hor., S., 1, 10, 43 : epos. .. 
Varius ducit ; Ovid, Tr., 1, 11, 17: ipse trementi \ carmina ducebam 
qualiacumque maim. 

14. ipse: emphasizing the greatness of his request; cf. Ovid, Tr. t II, 



1-27.] PROPERTIUS. 235 

215 : utque deos coelumque simul sublime tuenti \ non vacat exiguis rebus 
adesse Iovi, 

15. Athamana : the Athamanes were a people of Epirus. Cf. Strabo, 
viii, 7, 1. As a matter of fact they lived far inland, near the border of 
Thessaly, but the word is used loosely for 'Epirote ' in general. 

16. condit : lulls to rest. This is another case of ' inverted passive ' ; see 
Note on in, 22, 16. 

17. Iuleae : i.e. of Augustus, descended from lulus, Ascanius, son of 
Aeneas. monumenta : i.e. the gulf itself and the natural features of 
the landscape. Cf. Cat., xi, 10, where the Rhine and Britain are called 
Caesar is monimenta. 

18. non operosa : offering no difficulties. The reference may be to 
Augustus's improvement of the harbor after the battle. 

19. 20. moles pinea : cf. Vergil's account (1. c, 1. 693) : tanta mole viri 
turritis puppibus instant. nee: yet not; see Gr. 480, 3. avis: 
i.e. fortune. 

21. Teucro . . . Quirino : Romulus, descended from Aeneas, the Trojan. 
For the construction, cf. Hor.. C, in, 3, 18 : llion, llion — milii castaeque 
damnatam Minervae. 

22. pila : the national Roman weapon — in the hands of a foreigner, and 
a woman ! 

23. Augusta : strictly speaking an anachronism, for Octavius did not 
receive the title of Augustus till B.C. 27, four years after the battle of 
Actium ; so also in Verg., A., vin, 678. plenis . . . velis : cf. Verg., 
A., vin, 682 : ventis et dis. . .secundis. 

24. vincere: Explanatory Inf. with docta ; see Xote on Tib., 1, 
7,20. 

25. Nereus: a sea deity, the father of the Xereids and the husband 
of Doris. lunarat : rarely, as here, transitive, but cf. Ovid, Am., 
1, 1, 23. 

26. picta . . . aqua : the waves reflecting the polished armor were lashed 
by the strokes of the oars ; similarly in Verg., A., viii, 677. 

27. Phoebus : the Epiphany of Apollo is in Vergil's account much more 
majestic. Cf. A., viii, 704 U. He does not have to come from a dis- 
tance, but, simply bending his bow from the highland of his temple, he 
waits until the struggle is well under way. and his interference alone 
without other help brings victory. In Propertins's account he makes a 
long journey, starts to help at the very beginning of the conflict, and 
conquers with the aid of Augustus (1. 56). linquens : the Pres. par- 
ticiple gives the impression of instantaneous motion, according to Post- 
gate, stantem . . . Delon : the floating island of Delos remained fixed 
after Leto had given birth to Apollo upon it. Cf. Verg., A., in, 76; and 



236 COMMENTARY. [IV, 6, 

Pindar in Strabo, X, 5, 2 : t)v yap to Trapoi.de (poprjfd KvixaTeacrL re AaXos 
TravrodairCbv r' dvejxojv pnra?Giv. 

28. Kotos : see Note on Ovid, 11, 16, 22. 

29. nova flamma : cf. Verg., A., vni, 680 (of Augustus) : geminas cui 
tempora flammas \ laeta vomunt, patriumque aperitur vertice sidus. 

31. 32. Not like the Apollo Citharoedus ; cf. Tib., 11, 5, 1 ff. 

32. testudineae . . . lyrae : cf. Tib., iv, 2, 22 : testudinea. . .lyra. 

33. Agamemnona : he had wronged Chryses, the priest of Apollo. 

34. rogis : cf. the description, Horn., 11., 1, 52: alel 5e irvpal vckijojv 
Kaiovro BafxetaL 

36. inbelles . . . deae : the Muses. Apollo is here in his capacity of 
Mova-Tjyerrjs. 

37. longa . . . a b Alba : Augustus was descended from Aeneas, whose 
son Ascanius founded Alba Longa. mundi servator : Horace (C, iv, 
15, 17) calls Augustus rerum custos. 

38. Hectoreis . . . avis : his ancestors, Hector and the other Trojan 
heroes. 

40. onus : the quiver of arrows. 

41. solve : see Note on in, 21, 2. 

42. publica vota : the prayers of the state. 

44. Palatinas . . . aves : cf. Li v., 1, 6, 4: Palatium Romulus, Remus 
Aventinum ad inaugurandum templa capiunt. Cf. the phrase Pala- 
tinas. . .aves, Ovid, P., v, 151. 

45. nimium . . . prope: too near, i.e. to Italy. 

46. principe: Augustus was made princeps senatus in B.C. 28. 
regia: i.e. of queen Cleopatra. 

47. remiget alis: cf. Horn., Odyss., XI, 125 : iperfia rd re irrepd vrjvo-l 
iriXovraL. 

48. invito . . . mari: cf. Ovid., Her., xin, 126 : invitis. . .aquis. 

49. quodque : and as for the fact that. Centaurica saxa : on the 
prows of the ships were figures of Centaurs hurling rocks ; similarly 
Verg., A., x, 195 S.. : ingentem remis Centaurum promovet : ille \ instat 
aquae saxumque undis immane minatur. 

50. pictos . . . metus: cf. Hor., C, 1, 14, 14 : nil pictis timidus navita 
puppibus I fidit. metus = 06/3ot. 

52. iusta: cf. Cic, de Off., 1, 88: cum vero de imperio decertatur 
belloque quaeritur gloria, causas omnino subesse tamen oportet easdem 
quas dixi paulo ante iustas causas esse bellorum. 

53. conmitte rates : join battle. Cf. iv, 4, 59 : conmissas acies. 

54. laurigera : Apollo is himself called Lauriger in Ovid, A. A., 111, 389. 

55. arcus: Pluralis Maiestaticus. See Note on Tib., 1, 2, 79. Prose 
would have used the Ablative. 



28-79.] PROPEKTIUS. 237 

56. proxiraa : see Xote on 1. 27. 

57. femina : contemptuous. 

58. Cf. Floras, 11, 21, 7 : nee ulla re magis hosUHum copiarum ap- 
paruit magnitudo quam post victoriam : quippe inmensae classis nanfra- 
gium bello factum toto mari fluitabat Arabumque et Sabaeorum et mille 
Asiae gentium spolia purpura auroque illita adsidue mota ventis maria 
revomebant. 

59. Idalio . . . astro:- on Caesar's comet, cf. Suet., Caes., 88 : stella 
crinita per septem contlnuos dies fulsit. . .creditumque est animam esse 
Caesaris in caelum recepti. Idalio contains a reference to Cyprus as 
the home of the worship of Venus, and so to Caesar's descent from Venus 
through Aeneas. 

60. fides : proof. 

61. Triton: a sea deity. marinae . . . deae: the Nereids. 

62. libera signa: the standards of freedom, possibly with a recollection 
of the regia vela, 1. 46. 

63. cymba : in reality she had sixty ships. Horace indulges in a simi- 
lar exaggeration, C, 1, 37, 12 : minuit furorem | vix una sospes navis 
ab ignibus. 

64. hoc unum : is best taken in apposition with the following phrase ; 
but this construction cannot be paralleled. iusso...die: i.e. mori- 
tura sed non iusso die. 

65. di melius : sc. egerunt or fecerunt, with a reference to past time. 

66. vias : especially the Sacra Via. 

67. monumenta : the Indi quinquennales for which the poem was 
written. 

69. citharam: cf. Hor., C, 11, 10, 18 : quondam cithara tacentem \ su- 
scitat Musam neque semper arcum \ tendit Apollo. 

70. victor : possibly this was the eTrtVXr/crts, or cult-name, of the Pala- 
tine Apollo. 

71. Candida: cf. pura cum veste (Tib., 1, 10, 27 ; 11, 1, 13). 

72. blanditiae : so blandi turis (1. 5) of a smell that caresses the per- 
son, rosae : best taken as a Collective Genitive Singular with blan- 
ditiae. 

73. Falernis : a famous wine frequently referred to by Horace. 

74. spica Cilissa : cf. Ovid, F., I, 76 : et sonet accmsis spica Cilissa 
focis. 

75. Cf. Ovid, 21., vn, 432 : carmina vino \ ingenium faciente canunt. 

76. Bacche . . . Phoebo : Bacchus and Apollo are often associated in this 
connection. Cf. in, 2. 7. 



77-79. Triumphs in the north (Sycambros), the south (Meroen) 
the east (Parthum). 



rl 



238 COMMENTARY. [IV, 6, 77-85 ; 

77. Sycambros: a tribe on the east bank of the Rhine. According to 
Dio Cass., liv, 20, 4, this submission took place in B.C. 16. Cf. Hor., 
(7.; iv, 2, 34. 

78. Cepheam . . . Meroen : an island in the Nile in the eastern part of the 
Soudan. Cepheam because the myth of Andromeda, daughter of 
Cepheus, was localized there. The expedition here referred to is that of 
C. Petronius ; see Note on iv, 3, 10. Cf. 'Mori. Ancyr., v, 22 : in 
Aethiopiam usque ad oppidum Nabata perventum est, cui proxima- est 
Me roe. 

80. Remi : for Bomuli. See Note on 1, 22, 23. The standards were 
returned in B.C. 20. confessum : confessed (defeat) ; the absolute use 

is not found elsewhere. • 

82. pueros . . . suos : Gaius and Lucius Caesar, the children of Agrippa 
and Julia, were adopted by Augustus in b.c 17, the year before the 
writing of this elegy. 

83, 84. Similarly an Englishman might speak of the vengeance for 
Gordon's death in the ultimate capture of Khartoum. 

85. ducam : prolong. For the sentiment, cf. Tib., 1, 9, 61 seq. : illam 
saepe ferunt convivia ducere Baccho, \ dum rota Luciferi provocet orta 
diem. 

IV, 7. 

A visit by night from the ' shades ' of Cynthia. 

The beginning (1-12) and the end (95, 96) of the poem serve simply as 
a frame for her speech (13-91). In it she complains of her lover's faith- 
lessness (13-34) and of the changes in the household (35-48), expresses 
her pride in his poetry (49-54), describes her present estate (55-70), gives 
commands touching the future (71-86), and promises to visit him in 
dreams (87-94). 

1. aliquid : similarly Ovid, Am., 1, 12, 3 : omina sunt ah 'quid ; M., vi, 
542 : si numina divum sunt aliquid. 

2. lurida ... umbra : cf. iv, n, 8: lurida porta, evictos : van- 
quished. 

3. namque : an uncommon conjunction used postpositively by Proper- 
tius following Varro and Catullus. incumbere fulcro : for the posi- 
tion, cf. Ovid, M., xi, 655 (Alcyone's ghost appears to Ceyx) : ante 
torum stetit. . .turn lecto incumbens. . .ait. 

4. Murmur ... viae : see Note on in, 16, 25. Cynthia's grave was on 
the Via Tiburtina, not far from Tibur itself. Cf. 1. 81 if. 

5. Somnus: the god of sleep. ab exequiis : immediately after the 
funeral. amoris : i.e. Cynthia. 



7, 1-35.] PROPEKTIUS. 239 

6. frigida : ef. Ovid, Am., in, 5, 42 : frigidus in vidno. . .toro. regna : 
domain. 

8. oculos : Cynthia's eyes play a great role ; cf. 1, 1, 1. adusta : 

see Note on Tib., n, 6, 40. 

11. spirantis : Genitive ; of one who is alive, i.e. like a living per- 
son. 

12. increpuere : cf. in, 10, 4. 

14. Cf. Horn., 11., xxiii, 69 (the shade of Patroclus to Achilles): evdets, 
avrap i/ueto XeXacT/xevos e7r\eu, ' AxiAAeO ; 

15. vigilacis . . . Suburae : the street which ran in the hollow between 
the Quirinal and the Esqniline, a not over-respectable quarter and noisy 
at night, hence vigilacis. Cf. Mart., vi, 66, 1, 2 : famae non nimium 
bonae puellam | quales in media sedent Subura, and xi, 78, 11. 

18. alterna . . . manu : hand over hand. 

19. pectore mixto : breast to breast. 

20. Our cloaks made the streets feel the warmth. 

21. foederis : Genitive in Exclamation, instead of the customary Ac- 
cusative. See G. 883, 3 ; A. & G. 223, d. 

22. Noti: see Note on 1, 8, 12. The attributive use of the Fut. par- 
ticiple is just making its appearance in Propertius's time. Cf. 1. 48. 

24. terevocante : the same superstition, that the prayers and tears of a 
loved one could somewhat hinder death, is found in Ovid, Tr., in, 3, 41: 
nee dominae lacrimis in nostra cadentibus ora \ accedent animae tem- 
pora parva meae. The same superstition recurs in Jeremy Taylor's Holy 
Dying, eh. in, sect. 7. 

25. fissa . . . arundine : the split reed was probably used as a rattle to 
frighten evil spirits away from the dead body. Cynthia complains that 
this precaution was neglected in her case. 

26. tegula curta : the roof of the building in which her body had been 
placed was leaky. 

27. curvum : bowed down with grief. 

28. atram . . . togam : a sign of mourning, in opposition to the toga 
Candida. Cf. Iuv., x, 244 : multis in luctibus, \ inque perpetuo maerore 
ei nigra veste senescunt. 

31. ventos: a strong wind was desirable, so as to increase the fire on 
the funeral pyre. 

33. grave: burdensome. 

34. cado : a jar to hold the offerings to the dead. Cf. Ovid, F., 11, 540. 
Cynthia would have been content with a broken one (fracto). 

35. Lygdamus: Cynthia (in, 6) and Propertius (iv, 8) both had a slave 
of that name. lammina : burning with a hot iron, a process in slave- 
torture. Cf. Cic, Verr., v, 163. 



24O COMMENTARY. [IV, 7, 

36. pallida: with vina, i.e. poisoned wines, causing death. Cf. pallida 
mors, Hoy., C, i, 4, 13. 

38. ignea testa : the ' Judgment of God ' consisted in holding a red-hot 
pot or kettle in the hands without burning one's self. Cf . the watchmen in 
Soph., Antig., 264 : fj/Aev 5' €tol/jol /ecu fxtidpovs aipeiv x € P°^ p \ Kai ^dp diepireLv. 
Saliva was believed to be a counter-charm, preventing the operation of 
the 'judgment.' On the virtues of saliva, cf. Plin., JV. H., xxvin, 
35 ff. 

40. aurata cyclade : a stately garment, embroidered with gold and hav- 
ing a train. According to Servius on Verg., A., 1, 649, Aeneas, presented 
one to Dido. 

41. quasillis : wool-baskets. Cf. Tib., iv, 10, 3. 

43. nostra . . . monumenta : my grave. 

44. codicis : the pillory. Cf . Iuv. , 11, 57. 

45. caeditur . . . suspensa : cf. Plaut., Most., 1167 : verberibus. . .caedere 
pendens. 

46. per nomen . . . meum : in my name. 

47. imaginis: such statuettes of gold, or of gold and ivory, are often 
mentioned. Juvenal (xi, 17) tells of a spendthrift who melted up the 
statuette of his mother. 

49. insector : reproach. 

52. tergeminus . . . canis : cf. in, 5, 43. molle sonet : on the fear of 
Cerberus, see Note on iit, 18, 23. 

53. sifallo: cf. iv, 11, 27. 

54. Possibly a reference to the popular superstition that the spinal 
column turned into a snake. Cf. Ovid, M., xv, 389 : sunt qui, cumclauso 
putrefacta est spina sepulcro, \ mutari credant hum-anas angue medul- 
las ; and Plin., A r . H., x, 188. 

56. diversa . . . aqua : a variation from the original idea of Charon's 
bark for all. 

57. una . . . altera : belong together and are contrasted with the altera of 
1. 59. Clytaemestrae : who slew her husband Agamemnon, for love 
of Aegisthus. Cressae : the ' Cretan ' Pasiphae, wife of Minos. 

58. mentitae . . . bovis : the heifer which Daedalus made for her. 
59 ft'. Cf. the description of Elysium in Tib., 1, 3, 59 ff. 

60. mulcet . . . aura : cf. Cat., lxit, 41 : (flos) quern mulcent aurae. 

61. nunierosa : melodious. Cybebes : the magna mater deorum, 
more commonly called Cybele. 

63. Andromede: see Note on it, 28, 21. Hypermestre : the only one 

of the daughters of Danaus who spared the life of her husband (Lynceus). 
65. maternis: see Note on in, 22, 29. 
67. sorores : the other Danaids. 



36-92.] PROPERTIUS. 24I 

69. sanamus : for love thought of as a sickness, cf. such phrases as 
vesanus, male sanus. 

71. mandata: cf. in, 7, 55 (Paetus drowning) : flens tamen extremis 
dedit liaec mandata querellis. 

72. herba : she takes it for granted that her successor has displaced her 
in his affections by means of magic arts. 

74. potuit : she could have, but she did not. 

75. nomen ab usu: Xdrpts = servant. Euripides (Here. Fur., 823) calls 
Iris tt]v deQiv Xdrpiv. 

76. speculum . . . porrigat : a regular part of a maid's duties. 

78. ure : as a means of conveying them to the lower world. 

79. hederam : ivy was dreaded because of its dismantling propensities. 
Cf. Plin., JY". H., xvi, 144 : Jiedera. . .sepirfcra, micros rumpens. 

81. Cf. Hor., C, 1, 7, 13 : et praeceps Anio ac Tiburni lucus et uda | 
mobilibus pomaria rivis. 

82. Herculeo numine : cf. 11, 32, 5 : Herculeum Tibur. The cult of 
Hercules was introduced into Rome from Tibur. ebur : the super- 
stition that ivory kept at Tibur would never change its color and that 
discolored ivory would be there restored to its pristine color is mentioned 
by Martial, vni, 13 : dum Tiburtinis albescere solibus audit \ antiqui 
dentis fusca Lycoris ebur ; and by Silius Italicus, xn, 229 : quale micat 
semperque novum est quod Tiburis aura \ pascit ebur. 

84. vector: coachman. There was a great deal of driving between 
Tibur and Rome. 

85. aurea: cf. Hor., C, 1, 5, 9 : qui nunc te fruitur credulus aurea. 
87. portis : the gates of dreams ; cf. Horn., Odyss., xix, 562. 

90. errat : during the daytime he is tied up to guard the door. 
92. vehimur, vectum : see Xote on iv, 4. 82. 

IV, 11. 

Cornelia consoles her husband. 

' Paullus, grieve not overmuch because I am gone, for grief avails 
naught against Death, who is no respecter of persons (1-14). And now, 
ye gods of the dead, let me defend myself before you (15-28). Great as 
was the glory of my own family (29-32) and of thine, Paullus (33-40), 
yet have I lived worthy (41-48), nor do I fear any man's judgment 
(49-54). Even Caesar's household need not blush to own me (55-60), 
and my children shall rise up and en 11 me blessed (61-72). Them I 
commend to thee, Paullus (73-84), and to you, my children, your father 
(85-98). I have spoken ' (99-102). 

Scaliger calls this poem regina elegiarum. 
16 



242 



COMMENTARY. 



[IV, 11, 



The following genealogical table will be of assistance in understand- 
ing the poem : 



P. Cornelius Scipio 
(Cons. B.C. 38). 



Scribonia. 



■ The Emperor Augustus. 



P. Cornelius Scipio 
(Cons. B.C. 16). 



Cornelia 



L. Aemilius Paullus 
(Cons. a.d. 1). 



- Paullus Aemilius Lepidus Julia. 
(Cons. B.C. 34; Censor B.C. 22). 



M. Aemilius Lepidus 
(Cons. a.d. 6). 



Lepida. 



1. urgere: cf. Hor., C, n, 9, 9 : tu semper urges flebilibusmodis \ Mysten 
ademptum. Possibly the line is a recollection of Verg., A., vi, 376 : 
desine fata deumflecti sperare precando. 

2. ad: in answer to. preces : similarly Horace says of Mercury 
(C, 1, 24, 17) : nonlenis precibus fatarecludere. 

3. infernas . . . leges : the laws of the kingdom of the lower world, its 
jurisdiction. funera : the dead; see Note on 1, 17, 8. 

4. 11011 exorato = inexorabili ; as what has not been done presumably 
cannot be done. adamante: cf. Verg., A., vi, 552 : porta adversa 
ingens solidoque adamante columnae ; Lucian, de Luctu, 4 : irpbs TnjXrj ovo-y 
dda/uLavTLvrj. . . At'a/cds ecrrrjKev. 

5. fuscae deus . . . aulae : Pluto ; cf. Hor., C, 11, 13, 21: furvae regna 
Proserpinae. On aulae, cf. Eurip., Ale, 259 : vckijuv is av\dv. 

6. litora surda : the banks of the Styx. 

7. portitor : Charon. aera : the passage-money. 

8. rogos : grave. 

9. sic: this message , i.e. the trumpets sounded in full knowledge of 
these facts. 

10. lecto : the lectus funebris. 

11, 12. Cf. in general in, 18, 11 (of Marcellus) : quid genus aut virtus 
aut optima profuit illi \ mater ? and Walter Savage Landor : Ah ! what 
avails the scepter 'd race ? 

11. currus avorum : possibly the triumphal-wagon of the ancestors, 
preserved in the Vestibulum, or it may refer merely to the fact that the 
ancestors had celebrated triumphs. 

12. pignora : her three children. 

13. Cornelia: emphatic. It is noteworthy that the Roman finds it diffi- 
cult to speak of himself in the third person. So here he relapses to the 
first in the following line. Cf. iv, 6, 1, 2. 



1-34.] PROPERTIUS. 243 

14. Cf. 11, 9, 13 : tanti corpus Achillis \ maximaque in par v a sustulit 
ossamanu ; and Ovid, Am., 111, 9, 40. 

15. damiiatae noctes : damnatorum nodes. paludes : cf. Ovid, M. t i, 
737 : Stygias. . .paludes. 

16. The line in, 7, 58, is very similarly built : et quaecumque meum 
degravat unda caput. 

17. inmatura : a premature death was considered as a punishment for 
evil-doing, hence the addition of non noxia. 

18. pater : Pluto. 

19 n 2 . The description is thoroughly Roman, the picture of a praetor 
sitting in judgment. 

19. quis : a Propertianism — any one with the attributes of Aeacus. 
Aeacus: Aeacus, Minos, and Rhadamanthys (the f rat res of 1. 21) were the 
three judges in the lower world. 

20. vindicet : in its original sense as found in the Twelve Tables. 
pila : by means of which the judges voted. 

22. Eumenidum : ready to fulfil the sentence passed upon the con- 
demned. Cf. Stat., Theb., vm, 24, 25 : stant Furiae circum variaeque ex 
ordine Modes, \ saevaque multisonas evertat Poena catenas; and Lucian, 
Men., 11 : irapeLar-qKecrav 5e clvtoj (Minos) TLolvclI /ecu 'AAdcrropcs ko.1 'Eptvves. 
intento . . . foro : i.e. the spectators. 

23. 24. Similar descriptions of temporary respite in the lower world, 
in Verg., 67., iv, 480 ; Hor., C, 11, 13, 33 ; in, 11, 21 ; Ovid, M., x, 31. 
On Sisyphus, Ixion, and Tantalus, cf. in, 5, 42. 

24. corripere : Imperative pass, with liquor in the Vocative. 

25. Cerberus: see Note on in, 18, 23. 

27. si fallo : possibly a recollection of the old formula si sciens fallo ; 
cf . iv, 7, 53. poena sororum : in opposition to the following line. 

The Danaids are referred to. 

29. per avita tropaea : a case of ' sub-construction ' ; see Xote on iv, 3, 20. 

30. Numantinos . . . avos : Scipio Africanus Minor captured Xumantia 
in B.C. 133. 

31. luatemos . . . Libones : her mother's brother was L. Scribonius Libo, 
a follower of Pompey. exaequat : claims equality for. 

32. titulis : the inscriptions on the statues of the ancestors. 

33. praetexta: the garb of a young girl, replaced at marriage by the 
stola. 

34. acceptas . . . comas : the sex crines of the Roman matrons. Cf. 
Plaut., Mil., 792 : capite compto, crinis vittasque Jiabeat, adsimulet- 
que se \ tuam esse uxorem. altera vitta : i.e. the vitta matronalis, or 
fillet assumed at marriage, in contrast to that of the young girl, vitta 
virginea. 



244 COMMENTARY. [IV, II, 

35. sic : by death. 

36. uni nupta : she was univira, a term of praise frequently occurring 
in inscriptions. Cf. Plut., Q. R., 105 : fyXurbs 6 irp&Tos ydfxos, 6 5e devrepos 
direvKTalos. 

38^ tonsa : shorn, as the captives were wont to be. 

39. Achillis : Perseus traced his ancestry, through his mother Phthia, 
back to Achilles. Cf. Iustin., xxvin, i, 1. 

40. quique: sc. eum, i.e. et eum testor qui, etc.; Aemilius Paullus, who 
conquered Perseus at Pydna in B.C. 168. His son became, by adoption, 
P. Scipio (Africanus Minor). proavo . . . Achille : despite your ances- 
tor Achilles, etc., mocking repetition. 

41. censurae : her husband Paullus was censor in B.C. 22. 
43. damnum : instead of the more usual damno. 

45. mea . . . aetas : I, all my life long. Cf. i, 6, 21. 

46. utramque facem : the marriage torch and the funeral torch, often 
mentioned together ; cf. Ovid, Her., xx, 172 : et face pro thalami fax 
mihi mortis adest. 

50. adsessu . . . meo : an outward sign of intimacy or friendship. 

51. tardam . . . Cybeben : when the image of the magna mater was being 
brought to Rome in B.C. 204, the ship which carried it ran aground in 
the Tiber, but by a miracle the Vestal Claudia Quinta, who had been 
wrongly accused of unchastity, was enabled to tow the ship up to Rome. 
Cf. Ovid, F., iv, 305 ff. ; Suet., Tib., 2. 

52. turritae : so called because of the mural crown, her attribute as 
protectress of cities. 

53. Vesta : Aemilia, the virgo maxima, was freed from a similar charge 
of unchastity by the intervention of Vesta herself, who caused fire to 
spring from her garment. Cf. Dion. Hal., n, 63 ; Val. Max., i, i, 7. 

54. alba : the Vestals always dressed in white. 

55. dulce caput : cf. <pi\r) Ke<pa\-f), dear heart, and see Note on Prop., n, 
i, 36. 

56. Cf . the formula frequent in inscriptions, de qua vir nil doluit nisi 
mortem. 

57. laudor lacrimis : their sorrow is a recommendation in her favor. 
Cf. Consol. Liv., 209 : et voce et lacrimis laudasti, Caesar, alumnum. 

59. sua nata: Augustus's daughter Julia was Cornelia's half-sister. 
vexisse: increpare with Infin. is cited only from Propertius. 

60. deo : Augustus ; cf . in, 4, 1 and Note. 

61. emerui : like a soldier who has finished his campaigns. vestis : 
the stola. 

63. Lepide. . .Paulle: see the genealogical tabic in the introduction to 
the poem. 






35-102.] PKOPERTIUS. 245 

64. condita sunt . . . lumina nostra : I closed my eyes. 

65. fratrem : her brother, P. Cornelius Scipio, had been consul, and he 
was now praetor, in the year B.C. 10. 

67. specimen censurae : the daughter was probably born in the year of 
his censorship, B.C. 22. She would thus be six years old at this time. 

69. serie : sc. nepotum. fulcite : for the idea, cf. Plin., Up., it, 
21, 3 : cui nunc units ex tribus liberis superest domumque pAuribus ad- 
miniculis paulo ante fundatam desolatus fulcit ac sustinet. 

70. mea fata : i.e. me mortuam. 

73. tibi : Paullus. pignora : cf. 1. 12 and Xote. 

74. inusta: cf. Cic, Verr., 11, 1, 44, 113 : cur liuac dolor em cineri eius 
atque ossibus inussisti ? 

75. maternis vicibus : cf. Eurip.. Ale, 377 (Alcestis speaks to Adrnetus): 
av vvv yevov roicrd' clvt- €ijlov fMrjrrjp tekvols. The Sing, vice is the rule in 
this usage. 

76. omnis . . . turba : cf. tota caterva, 1. 98. 

79. sine testibus illis : sc. dole. 

80. siccis . . . genis : so that they may not know you have been weep- 
ing. 

81. fatiges : cf. Val. Flacc, v, 598 : nee requies quin JIarte diem noc- 
temqne fatiget. 

83. nostra ... simulacra : see Xote on iv, 7, 47 ; and cf . Ovid, Her., 
xin, 157: hunc (ceram) speeto teneoque sinu pro coniuge vero, \ et tamquam 
possit verba referre, queror. 

84. singula: i.e. he is to wait between his remarks for an imagined 
reply. 

85. ianua: the lecfus genialis generally stood in the atrium opposite 
the house-door. 

87. pueri : this address includes the daughter too, just as nati would. 

88. dabit . . . manus : in sign of surrender. 

89. priori : sc. uxori. 

92, cineres: i.e. the remembrance of me. 

95. A frequently recurring wish ; cf. Tib., 1, 6, 63 ; Hor., C, 11, 5, 
13 ; Ovid. 31. , vn, 167. 

96. prole mea : one of Propertius's vague Ablatives of Attendant Cir- 
cumstances. 

97. lugubria : mourning garments. Cf. Ovid, Jf., xi. 669; Tr., iv, 
2. 73. 

102. avis : Local Dative of the Place Whither ; cf. G. 358. 



OVID'S 'AMOKES.' 

I. 

Prefixed to the book is an epigram of four lines, presumably by Ovid, 

1. Nasonis : Ovid usually calls himself Naso ; cf. Am., i, n, 27; n, 
i, 2, etc. 

2. quinque libelli : the earlier edition in five books was now compressed 
into three. Cf. Introd., 38. 

3,4. ut . . . at : although. . .still. legisse : see Note on Tib.,* i, 

i, 29. 

I, i. 

The poet tells how he has been reduced to writing elegiacs instead of 
hexameters (1-4), and makes complaint to Cupid (5-20). Being re- 
warded for his pains by receiving a still heavier blow (21-26), he resigns 
himself to his fate (27-30). 

1. gravi numero : i.e. hexameter. 

2. edere : to treat of. 

3. par : in distinction from the elegiac metre, where the versus inferior 
is impar, being a pentameter, so called. 

4. surripuisse : observe the stealthy force in the preposition. 

5. saeve puer : i.e. Cupid ; cf. saevus Amor, Ovid, Am., i, 6, 34 ; 
B. A., 530 ; Tib. (Lygd.), in, 4, 65. hoc in carmina iuris: this right 
over poetry. In such phrases ius is regularly followed by in with the 
Accusative. 

6. Pieridum: see Note on Tib., 1, 4, 21. 

7. flavae : an epithet of Minerva frequently recurring in Ovid ; cf. M., 
11, 749 ; viii, 275 ; F., vi, 652 ; Tr., 1, 10, 1. Cf. also frvdr} as applied 
to Athene. 

8. ventilet: cf. Prop., iv, 3, 50: hanc Venus, ut vivat, ventilat ipsa 
facem. 

10. pharetratae virginis : i.e. Diana, whom Ovid (M., in, 252) calls 
Diana pharetrata. 

11. crinibus insignem : Apollo is often called crinitus (cf. e.g. Verg., 
A., ix, 638) and intonsus (cf. e.g. Ovid, Tr., in, 1, 60 ; M., xn, 585). 
Cf. also Tib., iv, 4, 2 and Note. 

12. Aoniam : see Note on Prop., 1, 2, 28. 



1. I, 1--29; 2, 2-24.] OVID'S ' AMORES." . 247 

15. Heliconia tempe : originally ra le/Airy was a valley in Thessaly be- 
tween Olympus and Ossa. Later the word was applied to any valley, so 
here to that of Mt. Helicon in Boeotia. 

18. ille : Cupid 

19. levioribus : i e. elegiac. 

20. compta : in a medial sense. 

21. pharetra . . . soluta : cf. Ovid, M., v, 379 seq. : ille pharetram | sol- 
vit et arbitrio matris de mille sagittis \ unam seposuit. 

23. lunavit : cf. Note on Prop., iv, 6, 25. 

26. vacuo : in its meaning of fancy-free ; cf. Hor., (7., 1, 32, 1 : siquid 
vacui. . .lusimus. 

27. Cf. Introd., 2. 

29. cingere : the Imperative passive is used here in a reflexive sense. 
litorea . . . myrto : cf. Mart., iv, 13: lotos aquas, litora myrtus amat. 
The myrtle was sacred to Yenus. 

1,2. 

The poet discovers that he is in love (1-8), and debates whether to resist 
or to yield (9-18). He determines upon the latter course (19-22) and, after 
describing the triumphal procession of Amor (23-48), pleads for mercy 
(49-52). 

2. pallia : the same homely touch in Prop., iv, 3, 31 : hem queror in toto 
non sidere pallia leclo. 

3. quam longa: cf. Verg., A., iv, 193 : nunc hiemem inter se luxu, quam 
longa, fovent. 

4. Ovid imitates himself in Tr., tv, 3, 26 : fessaque iactati corporis ossa 
dolent. 

6. tecta . . . arte : cf. Prop., 11, 12, 11 : ante ferit qiconiam tuti quam 
cernimus hosiem. 

7. sic erit: cf. the idiom frequent in Scotland, this will be right, etc., 
and Ter. , Eun., 732 : verbum, hercle, hoc verum erit. 

8. ferus : cf. in, 1, 20. 

10. levefit : cf. Hor., C, 1, 24, 19, 20 : sed levius fit patientia \ quidquid 
corrigere est nefas. 

15. asper : emphatic. lupatis : the curb-bit, or frenum lupatum ; 
cf. Hor., C, 1, 8, 6. 

16. arma: the arma equestria, or harness. Cf. Liv., xxxv, 23, 11. 

23. myrto : cf. Note on 1, 1, 29. maternas . . .columbas : i.e. the doves 
of Venus ; cf. Prop., in, 3, 31. 

24. vitricus : Mars. Cupid was the son of Juppiter and Venus. 



248 COMMENTARY. [I, 2, 25-51 ; 

25. triumphuni: cf. the io. . .triumphe of 1. 34. 

26. adiunctas : harnessed. Cf. Ovid> Her., xn, 152 : adiunctos equos ; 
A. A., 1, 550 : tigribus adiunctis. 

31. Mens Bona : a frequently recurring personification ; cf. e.g. Prop., 
in, 24, 13 ; Pers., 2, 8 ; Petron., 88. The Mens Bona found on inscrip- 
tions (outside of Rome, generally signed by slaves or freedmen) is prob- 
ably a different goddess. manibus post terga : cf. Hor., (7., in, 5, 21: 
vidi ego civium \ retort a tergo bracchia liber 0. 

34. io . . . triumphe! : cf. Tib., n, 5, 118 and Note. 

35. Error: Ovid, if., xn, 59, has t enter arius Error. 

38. nudus : inermis. 

39. mater : Venus. 

40. rosas : sacred to Venus. 

41. pennas gemma: cf. Ovid, R. A., 39 : movit Amor gemmatas aureus 
alas. 

42. aureus : cf. aureus Amor (Ovid, Am., 11, 18, 36, and R. A., 39) and 
"Epws xpucr67TTepos (Aristoph., Ai\, 1737) and %pucro/c6^r/s (Anacr., fr.,14 
Bergk.). 

43. quoque : even during the triumph, when the war is over. 
48. tigribus : the chariot of Bacchus was drawn by tigers. 

50. parce . . . perdere : noli per dere. Cf. Tib., 1, 2, 98. 

51. cognati : because Augustus was descended from Venus through 
Aeneas. 

1, 3. 

It is love, faithful and pure, that I offer (1-6), not lofty birth or great 
wealth (7-10), but only my power of song, my faithfulness (11-18), and 
the promise that our love shall be made immortal in my verse (19-26). 

3. tantum : merely. 

4. Cytherea: Venus ; see Note on Tib., iv, 7, 3. 

8. eques : the equestrian rank of Ovid's family was of long standing ; 
cf. in, 15, 5 : usque a proavis vetus ordinis lieres, \ non modo militiae 
turbine f actus eques ; and Tr., iv, 10, 7, 8 (the same words). 

9. Cf. Prop., in, 5, 5 : nee mihi mille iugis Campania pinguis aratur. 
11. comites novem : the Muses. vitis . . . repertor : the same phrase 

occurs, F., 11, 329. Bacchus is called by Ennius(cf. Charis., p. 214 P.) 
vitis inventor sacrae. 

14. nuda : unadorned. 

15. desultor amoris : see Note on Prop., iv, 2, 36. 

16. cura: see Note on Tib., 11, 3, 31. 

17. sororum : the Parcae. 



3, 3-23; g, 2-43.] OYID's ' AZORES.' 249 

19. materiem : cf . 1, 1, 19. in : for. 

21. Io: see Xote 011 Prop., 1, 3, 20. 

22. quam : Lecla, approached by Juppiter in the guise of a swan. 

23. quasque : Europe ; see Xote on Prop., 11, 28, 52. 

1,9- 

A clever comparison of Love and Warfare, reminding one, however, of 
an ' exercise ' in a rhetorical school rather than of poetry with any real 
feeling. 

The ' Atticus' to whom this poem and Pont., n, 4 and 11, 7 are ad- 
dressed is otherwise unknown. 

2. militat omnis amans : emphatic repetition ; cf. Tib., 1, 3, 4, 5. 

4. turpe senilis amor: cf. Tib., 1, 1, 71, 72 ; 2, 89 ff. 

5. animos : courage. 

11. duplicata . . . nimbo : with torrents of spray from waterfalls. 

13. causabitur : cf. Tib., 1, 3, 17. 

14. sidera : he will not wait for the time of year when sailing is safe, 
i.e. for the rising of the Pleiades. 

16. denso . . . imbre : liail. 

19. durae : the opposite of fac His. 

23. Threicii . . . Rhesi : a king of Thrace, who was robbed of his 
horses and killed at Troy by Ulysses and Diomedes. Cf. Ovid, M., 
xiii, 249. 

24. equi : according to an oracle, Troy could not be captured if the 
horses of Rhesus should drink of the Xan.thus. They were therefore in- 
tercepted and led away by the Greeks. 

29. Mars dubius : cf. 11, 9, 47. 

32. ingenii . . . experientis : the opposite of the ingenii inertis of 1, 15, 2. 

33. abducta Briseide : Agamemnon had taken away Briseis from 
Achilles. 

35. Andromaches : the wife of Hector. Their parting is a favorite sub- 
ject in Greek art. Cf. painting mentioned by Plat., Brut., 23, and the 
vase in Gerhard, Auserlesene Vasenbilder , iv, 322. 

37. summa ducum : cf. prima virorum, Luci/., 1, 87. Priameide : 

Cassandra. 

39. fabrilia.vincula : Hephaestus wrought magic fetters by means of 
which Ares and Aphrodite, being caught together, were bound fast. 
The story seemed to have had its rise in the island of Lemnos. 

40. fabula: piece of gossip (cf. in, 1, 21). Ovid (i/., it, 189) says in 
this same connection : Jiaec fuit in toto notissima fabula caelo. 

43. cura: love. 



250 COMMENTARY. [I, II, 2-27; 

I, 11. 

To Nape, Corinna's maid. 

' Nape, you who have always stood by me with help and sympathy, take 
these writing-tablets to Corinna (1-12). Speak a good word for me, 
observe how she relishes the reading of them (13-18), and bid her write 
a reply long or short, provided only it be yes (19-24). Then shall these 
precious tablets be dedicated to Venus herself ' (25-28). 

2. ancillas : the ordinary slave-girls. 

7. peraratas : scratched over. mane : her opportunity would come 

in the morning, when she dressed his mistress's hair, Cf. Ovid, A. A., 
1, 367, 368 : hanc matutinos pectens ancilla capillos \ incitet. 

9. Cf. Ovid, Am., in, 6, 53 : Me habet et silices et vivum in pectore 
ferrum, and Tib., 1, 1, 64. 

12. militiae signa. . .tuae : cf. n, 12, 38. 

15. dum . . . fugit : cf. Hor., C, 1, 11, 7, 8: dum loquimur, fugerit 
invida aetas. 

19. nee mora : sc. esto. 

20. late . . . vacat : i.e. with a wide margin. 
23. graphio : the stilus, or ypcupetov. 

25. lauro : a reference to the litter ae laureatae, or ' laurel- wreathed 
letters,' in which Roman generals were wont to report a victory. • 

27. fidas: cf. Prop., in, 23, 9 (to his tablets) : qualescumque mihi 
semper mansere fideles. Naso : see Note on introductory epigram, 

1. 1. 



Companion piece to I, 11. 

' They have come back with "No" for an answer (1, 2). Luck was 
against us, for Nape departing tripped on the threshold (3-6). A curse 
upon you, wretched tablets, made of the wax of poison-bees ! (7-14), 
made by a cursed man (15, 16), from the wood of a cursed tree (17-20). 
You were better fitted for a lawyer's note-book or for a miser's accounts 
(21-26). Bad luck to you ! ' (27-30). 

With this poem should be compared Prop., in, 23. 

1. tristes : cursed, so Hor., C, in, 13, 11 : te triste lignum. 

3. omina sunt aliquid: cf. Prop., iv, 7,* 1 : sunt aliquid Manes, and 
Note. 

4. restitit: cf. Tib., I, 3, 20 and Note. 

7. funebria ligna : as we might say ' paper fit to kindle fires with.' 



12, 1-27; 15, 1-13.] OVID'S ' AMORES/ 25 1 

9. cicutae : hemlock, from which poison was made. 

10. Corsica . . . apis : Corsican honey had a very bad reputation ; cf. 
Yerg., B., ix, 30 : sic tua Cyrneas fugiant examina taxos, and ]\Iart., 
xi, 42, 4 : et thy ma Cecropiae Corsica ponis api. 

11. minio : the wax was ordinarily black. 

13. inutile lignum : cf. Hor., S., 1, 8, 1 : inutile lignum. 
15. Cf. Horace's curses upon the man who planted the tree which 
almost fell upon his head (C, 11, 13). 

19. bubonibus : see Note on Prop., 11, 2Sb, 38. 

24. cognitor : lawyer, advocate. 

25, 26. Cf. Prop., in, 23, 19, 20 : . . . his aliquis rationem scribit avarus 
et ponit duras inter ejjhemeridas. 

27. duplices : the translation of 5l7ttvxov deXrlov or ra diirrvxa, a 
double-tablet. The word-play is not possible in Greek. 



1, 15. 

* Because I am neither soldier nor lawyer but only a poet, they tell me I 
have no chance of fame (1-6). But verses, and nought else, give immor- 
tality (7, 8). Witness the Greek bards from Homer on (9-18); and in 
Rome, Ennius and his successors to this present (19-30). For verse out- 
lives all else (31-34). Only let Apollo help me (35-38), and after Death 
has silenced Envy I shall live forever ' (39-42). 

In regard to this poem, see the introductory note on Prop., in, 1. 

1. For a similar beginning, cf. Prop., 1, 12, 1. Livor edax : the 
same phrase, Sen., Phaedr., 493, and Mart., xi, 34. 

2. ingenii . . . inertis : the opposite of the ingenii experientis of 1, 9, 32. 

4. pulverulenta : the rewards now in the dust of battle are themselves 
called f dusty.' 

5. verbosas leges : cf. Ovid, Ti\, iv, 10, 18 : fortia verbosi . . . arma fori. 

9. Maeonides : Homer, so called from Maeonia, an old name for Lydia. 
Tenedos : an island near Troy. 

10. Simois : a river flowing from Mt. Ida. Cf. Horn.. 11., v, 774 ff. ; xn, 
19 ff. 

11. Ascraeus : see Xote on Prop., 11, 34. ??. mustis : Servius in his 
commentary on Vergil's Georg., 11, 7 finds fault with Ovid for using this 
word in the plural : must urn niunero tantum singula ri dicimus, sicut 
vinum, licet Ovidius abusive dixerit musta, sed hoc ille pi 'us fecit, quod 
et * mustis ' dixit. 

12. Ceres : here used for the grain itself. 

13. Eattiades : Callimachus of Cyrene, son of Battus. Cf. Introd., 7. 



252 COMMENTARY. [I, 15, 14-42; 

The mythical founder of Cyrene was also called Battus, and Callimachus 
boasted descent from him. 

14. ingenio . . . arte : the contrast of natural ability and elaboration. 
The same contrast occurs in Cicero's famous opinion of Lucretius (ad 
Quint, frat., 11, 11): multis luminibus ingenii, multae tamen artis. Cf. 
also Note on 1. 19. 

15. cothurno : Sophocles's tragic muse, in contrast to the soccus of 
comedy. 

16. Aratus : of Soli in Cilicia (circa B.C. 270), author of two astronomi- 
cal poems, the <f>cuj>6/xej>a and the ^Loarifxeia. 

18. Menandros : (circa B.C. 342-291) the most famous representative of 
the Xew Attic Comedy. 

19. Ennius : see note on Prop., in, 3, 6. arte carens : similarly, Tr., 
11, 423: Ennius ingenio maximus, arte rudis. Accius : (b.c 170- 
circa 94) a tragic poet. Horace (Ep., 11, 1, 56) calls him alius. * 

21. Varro : Atacinus. Cf. Introd., 8. primam ratem : the Argo. 
Varro wrote an epic on the Argonauts. 

22. Aesonio . . . duci : i.e. Jason, son of Aeson. 

24. See Note on Prop., in, 5, 31. 

25. Tityrus . . . Segetes Aeneiaque arma: referring to the Bucolics, the 
Georgics, and the Aeneid. 

26. A Roman way of saying 'forever.' Cf. Hor., C, in, 30, 8, 9 : dum 
Capitolium \ scandet cum tacita virgine pontifex. 

27. ignes : i.e. torches. 

29. Gallus: cf. Introd., 19. With the whole line cf. Prop., 11, 3, 
43, and Ovid, A. A., in, 537 : Vesper et Eoae novere Lycorida terrae. 

30. Lycoris : cf . Introd., 19. 

32. carmina morte carent : cf. in, 9, 28 : defugiunt avidos carmina 
sola rogos. 

34. auriferi . . . Tagi : a river of Spain, famed for its gold. Cf. Ovid, M., 
11, 251 : Tagus amne vehit . . .aurum. 

35. flavus Apollo : cf. 1, 1, 7 : flacae Minervae. 

36. Castalia : a spring at Delphi, at the foot of Mt. Parnassus, sacred 
to Apollo and the Muses. 

37. myrtum: see Note on 1, 1, 29. 

39. Cf. Prop., in, 1, 21 : at mihi quod vivo detraxerit invida turoa, \ post 
obitum duplici fenore reddet Honor. 

42. Cf. Hor., C, in, 30, 6 : non omnis moriar, multaque pars mei \ 
vitabit Libitinam. 

II, 1. 

' My theme it is to write of the tender passion for maid and youth alike 
(1, 10). Once I thought to sing of heroes, but I lost her favor, and re- 



II, i, 1-38.] ovid's 'amores.' 253 

gained it only by my gentler verse (11-22). Great is the power of song 
(23-28), but to tell the tale of love, and not the deeds of heroes, is my 
part ' (29-38). 

With this poem may be compared Prop., nr, 3. 

1. Paelignis : at'Sulmo, about eighty miles east of Rome. aquo- 
sis : cf. the description of the Paelignian country in 11, 16, 2 : in- 
riguis ora salubris aquis ; in, 15, 11 : Sulmonis aquosi ; Tr.,i\, 10, 3 : 
Sulmo g'etidis uberrimus undis. 

2. Naso: see Note on introductory epigram, 1. 1. 

3. hoc quoque : observe the repetition from 1. 1. procul : see Xote on 
Tib., 11, 1, 11. 

5, 6. Cf. Prop., in, g, 45 : haec urant pueros, haec urant scripta 
puellas. 

8. flammae: passion. 

9. indice: informer. 

12. Gygen : Tvys, or Tvyvs, a monster with a hundred arms. Cf . Ovid, 
Tr., iv, 7, 18 : centimanumque G-yan; Hor., C, 11, 17, 14, and in, 4, 
69 : centimanus Gyas. oris : see Note on Prop., n. 10, 12. 

13. Tellus : Ta?a. For the arrangement of the mountains, cf . Note on 
Prop., 11, 1, 19. 

14. devexum: wrenched from its foundations. 

17. The last half of this line is contrasted with the last half of 1. 15. 

22. duras lenia : notice the juxtaposition. Cf. Prop., 1, 9, 12 : carmina 
mansuetus tenia quaerit Amor. 

23. deducunt cornua lunae: cf. Verg., B., vin, 69 : carmina vel caelo 
possunt deducere lunam ; and Prop., 1, 1, 19. 

25. angues : cf. Verg., B., vin, 71: frigidus in pratis cantando 
rumpitur anguis. 

26. versa . . . aqua : cf. Tib., 1, 2, 44 : fluminis. . .rapidi carmine vertit 
iter. 

29. velox . . . Achilles : cf. Horn., It., 1, 121: woddpKrjs . . .'AxiWetfs; It., 
XXIII, 249 : 7rodd)K€i TLrjXeiuvi. 

30. alter et alter : Agamemnon and Menelaus. Cf. Verg., J.., n, 500: 
geminos. . .Atridas. 

31. quique : Odysseus. 

32. Haemoniis . . . equis: the horses of Achilles. See Note on Prop., 11, 
1, 63. The reference is to the dragging of the body of Hector after the 
chariot of Achilles. 

38. purpureus : Amor is so called in 11, 9, 34 and in A. A., 1, 232. 



254 COMMENTABY. [11,6,1-61; 



II, 6. 

A mock consolatio on the death of Corinna's parrot. 

The poet invites all the birds of the air to attend the funeral (1-11), 
and especially the turtle-dove, the dearest friend of the deceased (12-16). 
He dwells upon the futility of thinking that earthly charms can pro- 
tect against death (17-26), and emphasizes the cruel fate which took the 
parrot hence and left alive so many inferior birds (27-42). He then 
describes the death-scene (43-48), the parrot's ' paradise ' (49-53) and 
his tomb (59-62). With this poem may be compared that of Catullus 
upon the death of Lesbia's pet sparrow (Cat., in) and that of Statins 
(partly an imitation of Ovid), also upon a parrot (Stat., Silv., ir, 4). 
Besides these, Arruntius Stella, a contemporary of Statins and Martial, 
wrote a poem on the death of a dove (cf. Stat., Silv., 1, 2, 102, and Mart., 
1, 7 and vn, 14, 5). 

1. imitatrix : cf. Stat., 11, 4, 2 : humanae sollers imitator, psittace, 
linguae. 

2. occidit : is dead. exequias ite : Statius invites the birds to come 
together and learn the funeral dirge ; cf. Silv., 11, 4, 16 : hue doctae sti- 
pentur aves, etc. 

3. plangite pectora : a human token of grief. 

4. notate genis : cf. Tibullus's directions for his own funeral, 1, 1, 68 : 
teneris, Delia, parce genis. . 

5. pro maestis . . . capillis : in allusion to the custom of tearing the 
hair in token of grief. 

6. tuba : the indispensable accompaniment of human funerals. 

7. Ismarii . . . tyranni : the Thracian tyrant, i.e. Tereus. For the story, 
see Note on Prop., in, 10, 10. 

10. causa doloris Itys : cf. Aeschyl., Agam., 1097 : "Itw, "Itw o-revovaa, 

15. iuvenis Phoceus : Pylades, son of Strophius, the king of Phocis. 

17-20. A direct parody of a consolatio ; cf. Prop., in, 18, 11 ff. (on 
Marcellus). 

17. ista : of thine. fides : sc. iuvat. 

19. nostrae placuisse puellae : cf. Cat., in, 4 (on the sparrow) : deliciae 
meae puellae. 

23. simulantior ales : cf. 1. 1, imitatrix ales. 

24. blaeso : stammering. 

25. invidia: i.e. the (pddvos deCov. 
32. simplicis : plain. 

34. auctor aquae: cf. Hor., C, in, 17, 12: aquae. . .augur, annosa 



9,7-18.] OVID'S 'AMOKES/ 255 

comix ; in, 27, 10 : imbrium divina avis imminentum. With this use 
of auctor cf. Prop., iv, 3, 32 : lucis. . .auctores. . .aves. 

35. armigerae : often applied to Minerva by Ovid. Cf. F., 111, 681 ; 
yi, 421 ; 21., xiv, 475 ; Tr., iv, 10, 13. invisa: because of its too 

great ofnciousness. Cf. the story in Ovid, 21., 11, 551 ff. 

37, 38. Virtually a repetition of 11. 1 and 2. 

39. With the sentiment of this line cf. Verg., G., in, 66, 67 : optima 
quaeque dies miseris mortalibus aevi \ prima fug it ; and Hor., S., 11, 7, 3 : 
et frugi quod sit satis, hoc est, ut vitale putes, with Acron's note: etenim 
qui nimii sunt in bonis, eos vitales esse non praedicamus. 

41. Phylacidae : Protesilaus, king of Phylace in Thessaly. Ther- 
sites : the boastful coward. Cf. Horn., 11., 11, 212 ff. 

42. fratribus : among whom was the worthless Paris. 

44. procelloso : see Xote on 11, 16, 22. Noto : see Xote on Prop., 1, 
8, 12. 

45. vacuo . . . colo : the thread of his life was spun. 

50. Cf. the description of his own home at Sulmo, 11, 16, 5, 6. 

52. obscaenae . . . aves : birds of ilt-omen. For obscaenae in this mean- 
ing, cf. Paulus, p. 201 M. : apud antiquos omnes fere obscaena dicta 
sunt, quae mali ominis habebantur. 

54. vivax : because of the legend that he rose from his own ashes. 
The phrase recurs in Statius, Silv., in, 2, 114. 

55. ales Iunonia : the peacock, sacred to JunoRegina. Cf. Stat., Silv., 
n, 4, 26 : gemmata volucris Iunonia cauda. 

61. dominae placuisse : cf. 1. 19. 

11, 9 . 

' Cupid ! will you never cease to fight me ? Yet I surrendered long 
ago (1-4). Be sportsmanlike ! Fight those who can offer fight (5-16). 
Thus Rome, by ever seeking new fields, grew to greatness (17, 18). But 

my campaigns are finished, so let me rest (19-24). No ! that I 

would not, if I could (25, 26). For love is life (27-34). So let him smite 
me (35-38). Sleep undisturbed is death (39-42). So let me suffer the 
bitter sweets of love, in all their uncertainty (43-50), and let Cupid and 
his mother reign in my breast ' (51-54). 

7. Haemonius . . . heros : Achilles. quern: Telephus. For the story, 

see Xote on Prop. , 11, 1, 63. 

13. retundere : blunt, 

14. ossa...nuda: cf. Prop., 11, 12, 17 (addressing Amor) : quid tibi 
iucundum est siccis habitare medullis. 

18. straminei : with roofs of thatch. 



256 COMMENTAKY. [II", 9, 19-51; 12, 2-28; 

19. acceptos . . . agros : a reference to the distribution of land to the 
veterans. 

22. rudis : a wooden staff given to a gladiator, when he was honorably 
dismissed. 

24. defunctum : having completed my time. erat : cf. Hor., (7., 

in, 26, 3 : tempus erat dapibus, etc. 

32. alta: the deep sea. 

33. refert : used of a ship borne out to sea again ; cf. Hor., C, 1, 14, 1 : 
navis ! referent in mare te novi \ fluctus. 

34. purpureus : see Note on 11, 1, 38. 

35. praebeor: cf. 1, 2, 19 : tua sum nova praeda, Cupido ! 

39. quiescere : the opposite of 1, 2, 3 : vacuus somno noctem, quam longa 
peregi. 

41. somnus . . .mortis imago: cf. Cic, Tusc, 1, 92 : somnum, imaginem 
mortis. 

47. dubius Mars : cf . 1, 9, 29. 

48. vitricus : see Note on 1, 2, 24. 

49. ventosior alis : cf. Prop., 11, 12, 5: ventosas alas. 
51. matre: Yenus. 

II, 12. 

A song of triumph for a victory over Corinna. The poet recounts his 
success (1-8), emphasizes the peculiar credit he deserves (9-16), and 
points out how woman has forever been a cause of strife (17-28). 

2. vicimus : cf. with this opening that of Prop., 1, 8b, 27, 28. 
7. non humiles . ... non parvis : litotes. 

9. Pergama : Troy ; see Note on Prop., 11, 1, 21. bello . . . bilustri : 
the ten years' war. 

10. Atridis : Agamemnon and Menelaus. Cf. 11, 1, 30 : Atrides alter 
et alter. 

13. me ducc.me milite : cf. Tib., 1, 1, 75: hie ego dux milesque 
bonus. 

17. belli . . . causa : cf. Prop., 11, 3, 35 ff. 

18. Tyndaris : the daughter of Tyndareus, Helen. fovet—futura 
erat. 

19. femina : Hippodamia, at whose marriage with Peirithous the fight 
between the Lapithae and the Centaurs broke out. biformem : i.e. 
the Centaurs. 

20. adposito . . . mero : cf. Prop., 11, 3, 17 : posito. . .Iaccho, and Note. 

21. femina: Lavinia, whose marriage to Aeneas was resented by Tur- 



i6,l-81.] oyid's 'amores.' 257 

22. Latine : king of the ' Aborigines ' and father of Lavinia. 

23. femina : Cleopatra. 

28. militiae signa . . . suae : cf. 1, 11, 12. 



II, 16. 

* I am at Sulmo, where all is beautiful (1-10), except that she is not 
there — and even heaven itself were unwelcome without her (11-14). A 
curse on the man who invented journeying ; he . might at least have 
ordained that she should always go too (15-18). For with her I would 
not fear to go to the farthest parts of the earth (19-32), and without her 
there is no beauty even here (33-40). Why should we be separated ? 
She promised to come. Come ! ' (41-52). 

1. Sulmo: Ovid's birthplace : see Note on ir, 1, 1. 

2. aquis : cf. 11, r, 1 : Paelignis aquosis. 

4. Icarii . . . canis : Maera, the faithful dog of Icarius the apostle of 
Dionysus, was translated to heaven and became the little dog-star 
(canicula, or irpoKvuv). 

7. Cereris : by metonymy for grain. 

8. Pallada: i.e. the olive-tree, the gift of Athene. 

13. medius Polluce et Castore : i.e. medius inter Pollucem et Gastorem. 

16. in longas . . . vias: cf. Tib., 1, 3, 35, 36. 

17. comites : this is the counterpart of Arethusa's wish ; cf. Prop., iv, 

3, 45- 

19. ventosas . . . Alpes : the grandeur of mountain sceneLy was altogether 
unappreciated by the ancients. In point of fact, the enjoyment of 
Switzerland does not antedate Rousseau. 

21. Syrtes : mentioned by Horace in a somewhat similar connection : 
C, 1, 22, 5 : Syrtis. . .aestuosas. 

22. non aequis . . . Notis : the south winds have a bad reputation in the 
poets ; cf. Notus dubius (Prop., 11, 5 12) ; Noti irati (Prop., iv, 6, 28) ; 
nubiferi (Ovid, Her., in, 58) ; praecipites (Ovid, Am., 11, n, 52); Notus 
procellosus (Ovid, Her., 11, 12 ; Am., 11, 6, 44). 

23. virgineo . . . inguine : Scylla. 

24. Malea : a promontory at the southeast extremity of Sparta, pro- 
verbially a dangerous point. Cf. Strabo, vin, 6, 20 : MaXeas 5e Kdfixf/as 
eirCKddov tQp olkws. 

25. Charybdis: similarly described by Vergil, A., in, 420 ff. ; Ovid 
(31. , vii, 63) calls her inimica . . . rations. 

31. iuveuis : Leander, who swam the Hellespont nightly to visit Hero ; 
cf. Ovid, Her., xvn, xvm. 
17 



258 COMMENTARY. [II, 16, 32-49; III, r, 

32. via caeca : the lamp which Hero put to guide him was blown out 
by the storm. 

34, 35. Notice the important role which running water plays in an 
Italian's ideal of a country landscape. 

36. frigida : i..e. praiseworthy coolness. Cf. Prop., in, 22, 1. 

37. celebrare : frequent, 

39. Cilicas . . .feros : used typically for pirates. See Note on Tib., 1, 2, 
67. virides . . . Britannos : cf. Caesar, B. O., v, 14 : se Britanni 
vitro inficiunt, quod caeruleum efficit colorem atque hoc horridiore sunt 
in pugna aspectu; and Prop., 11, i8b, 23 : infectos. . .Britannos. 

40. quae . . . saxa : the Caucasus. 

41. Cf. per contra Aristoph., Vesp., 1281 : i^rjirdrrjo-ev ij x^P a ^ T l v #/>t7re- 
\ov. 

44. per . , . oculos : cf. in, 3, 13. sidera nostra : cf. Prop., 11, 3, 14. 

45. foliis leviora : cf. Ovid, Her., v, 109 : foliis leviora, and P., iv, 3, 33. 

46. ventus et unda: see Note on Prop., 1, 8, 12. 
49. esseda : cf. Prop., 11, 1, 76 and Note. 

Ill, 1. 

The rivalry of ' Elegeia ' and ' Tragoedia ' for the poet's favor. The 
scene (1-4). The appearance of 'Elegeia' (5-10) and of 'Tragoedia' 
(11-14). The latter speaks first (15-32), and is followed by 'Elegeia' 
(33-60). The poet's reply (61-68). Conclusion (69, 70). 

2. numen: cf. Tac, Germ., 9: lucos et nemora consecrant deor unique 
nominibus appellant secretum illud quod sola reverentia vident ; and 
see Note on in, 13, 7, 8. 

3. 4. Cf . Propertius's description of the grotto of the Muses (Prop. , 
in, 3, 27 ff.). 

4. dulce: with adverbial force. Cf. Hor., C, 1, 22, 23, 24 : dulce ri- 
de?item ... dulce loquentem. 

6. moveret : undertake. 

8. pes . . . longior : the hexameter in contrast to the other line, the 
pentameter. Cf. 1, 1, 3. 

9. decens : cf . in, 3, 8. vestis tenuissima : a Coan robe ; see Note 
on Tib., 11, 3, 53. 

11. ingenti . . . passu : the tragic gait. 

12-14. The description corresponds roughly with the familiar ' Mel- 
pomene' of the Vatican. Cf. Baumeister, Denkm., 11, p. 971. 

14. Lydius : cf. Herod., I, 94 : <}>ol<jI St avrol Avdol /cat rets irony vias ras 
vvv a-(f)L(TL re Kal ' EM^cri /caretrrecucas ecovrwv i^eijprjfJLa yevtvOai. 

17. nequitiam : cf . 11, 1, 2 : ego nequitiae Naso poeta meae. 



2-69; 2,1.] OVID'S ' AMORES/ 259 

19. digito . . . designat : for finger-pointing as a sign of disgrace, ef. 
Am., in, 6, 77 (Ilia's lament) : digitis designor adultera vulgi. 

20. ferus . . . Amor : cf. 1, 2, 8. 

21. fabula: the talk of the town. Cf. Hor., Up., 1, 13, 9 ; Epod., 
11, 8. iactaris : bandied about ; cf. Prop., 11, 5, 1. 

23. erat : see Xote on 11, 9, 24. thyrso . . . graviore : cf. in, 15, 17. 

The thyrsus was the staff carried by Bacchus and his followers. Pos- 
sibly Ovid has in mind Lucr., 1, 922 seq. : sed acri \ percussit thy r so 
laudis spes 'magna meum cor. 

25. virorum : heroes. 

28. prima . . . iuventa : cf. Prop., 11, 10, 7 : aetas prima canat Veneres, 
extrema tumultus. 

30. iste : of thine, a regular function of this pronoun. 

32. densum caesarie : cf. the statue of Melpomene referred to in Xote 
on 11. 12-14. 

33. limis . . . ocellis : i.e. coquettishly. Venus herself is often called 
paeta. 

34. myrtea : see Note on 1, 1, 39. 

38. versibus . . . meis : the speech of Tragoedia has been, in the nature 
of the case, in the elegiac metre. 

40. regia : cf. Tragoedia's sceptrum regale (1. 13). 

43. lascivi mater Amoris : Venus. Amor is called lascivus by Tib., 1, 10, 
57 ; and cf. Ovid, M., 1, 456 : lascivepuer ! (i.e. Amor). 

45. duro : see Xote on Prop., 1, 7, 19. 

51. 52. Cf. Tib., 1, 2, 19, 20 : ilia (= Venus) docet molli furtim derepere 
lecto, I ilia pedem nullo ponere posse sono. 

52. in percussos : proleptic. 

53. pependi : a lover's plaint, fastened on the doorpost. 
59. felicia : fertile. 

62. in vacuas aures : cf. Ovid, If., iv, 41 : vacuas. . .adaures ; and Hor., 
Up., 1, 1, 7 : purgatam. . .aurem. 

64. magnus . . . sonus : see Xote on Prop., n, io, 12. 

69. teneri . . . Amores: so also in, 15, 1. Cf. tener Amor : Tib., 1, 3, 57 
and 11, 6, 1 ; Ovid, A. A., 1, 7 ; Am., 11, 18, 3, 19. 

Ill, 2. 

Ovid has taken her to the races, and the poem is his share in an imagi- 
nary conversation held during their progress. An analysis is scarcely 
necessary. 

1. nobilium . . . equorum: thoroughbreds. In A. A., 1, 135, the lover is 
advised nee te nobilium fugiat certamen equorum. 



26o COMMENTARY. [Ill, 2, 3-84; 

3. tecum : emphatic repetition. 

6. pascat : feast ; often in the meaning with oculos. 

7. agitator equorum : jockey. 

12. stringam metas : the object being to shorten the course by coming 
as close as possible in rounding the meta. Cf. Hor., C, I, 1, 45 : metaque 
fervidis evitata rotis. 

15. Pelops : who won in the chariot race with Oenomaus, the father of 
Hippodamia. Pisaea . . . hasta: i.e. the spear of Oenomaus, who was 

king of Pisa in Elis, and who was wont to kill the unsuccessful suitors. 

17. puellae: according to one version, Hippodamia persuaded Myrtilus, 
the charioteer of Oenomaus, to remove the pin from the end of the axle 
of her father's chariot, thus causing his destruction. 

19. linea : the barrier separating the blocks of seats in the amphi- 
theatre. Cf. A. A., 1, 141, 142: et bene, quod cogit, sinolit, linea, iungi \ 
quod tibi tangenda est lege puella loci. 

23, 24. Similarly A. A., 1, 157, 158 : respice, praeterea post vos qui- 
cumque sedebit, \ ne premat opposito mollia terga genu. 

25, 26. Cf. A. A., 1, 153, 154: pallia si terra nimium demissa iace- 
bunt, I collige et inmunda sedulus effer humo. 

29. Milanion : see Note on Prop., 1, 1, 10. 

31. succinctae . . .Dianae: so also Ovid, A. A., in, 143 ; 31., 111, 156. 

34. in flammam flammas : irvp eirl irvp. in mare . . . aquas : pro- 

verbial ; cf. Ovid, Tr., v, 6, 44 : in mare fundat aquas; and Am., 11, 10, 
14 : in freta collectas alta quid addis aquas ? 

38. tabella : fan, usually called a -flabellum. Cf. A. A.,i, 161 iprofuit 
et tenui vento movisse tabellam. 

41, 42. Cf. A. A., 1, 149, 150 : utque fit in gremium pulvis si forte 
puellae \ deciderit, digitis excutiendus erit. 

43. pompa: the pompa circensis. favete : see Note on Tib., 11, 1, 1. 

44. aurea pompa : cf. in, 13, 29. 

45. Victoria : 'Nlktj. 

48. Cf. Prop, in, 7, 71 : at tu, saeve Aquilo, numquam mea vela 
videbis. 

50. Pax: cf. the eulogy on Pax in Tib., 1, 10, 45 ff . ; and also Prop., 
in, 4, 1 : Pacts Amor deus est, pacem veneramur amantes. 

51. Phoebe : Diana. 

52. Minerva: i.e. ' Adrjvrj 'Epyavr], patroness of handicraft. 

53. ruricolae : Nominative Plural. tenero : the same epithet ap- 
plied to Bacchus in Tib., 11, 3, 66 ; Ovid, lb., 497. 

54. placet : pay deference to. 

55. pueris : i. e. A mores. 

57. patiatur amari = Am., 1, 3, 3. 



3,2-40.] OVID'S 'AMORES/ 26l 

' 62, 63. Observe the sudden descent from the sublime to the ridiculous. 

64. primos . . . pedes : the tips of your toes. 

69. spatioso . . . orbe : by not rounding the met a closely enough, he gives 
the chariot behind a chance to go between and thus pass him on a shorter 
course. 

74. iactatis . . . togis : a sign of disapproval in this case, occasioned by 
what the audience considers to be a false start. 

79. Notice the alliteration with s. 

83. argutis . . . ocellis : cf. m, 3.9. 

84. cetera: cf. A. A., 1, 669, 670: oscida, qui sumpsit, si non et cetera 
sumpsit I haec quoque quae data sunt, perdere dignus erit. 

HI, 3. 
1 Are there no gods ? She has broken the oath that she swore by her 
beauty, and for all her perjury she is no whit less beautiful. She swore 
by her eyes and mine, but mine alone have smarted (1-14). Ye gods ! 
have ye no shame, to let the innocent suffer for the guilty ? (15-22). Are 
there no gods, or, if there are, are they, too, in love with fair maidens ? 
(22-40). That I can understand (41-46); but do you, my dear, not abuse 
the leniency of the gods ' (47, 48). 

2. facies : beauty. The general form of the line resembles Ovid, Tr., 
iv, 10, 30: et studium nobis, quod fuit ante, manet . 

5. Observe the alliteration of the line : Candida candore^i. . .roseo. . . 
xubore. 

8. longa : see Note on Prop., 11, 2, 5. 

9. argutos : cf. 111, 2, 83: argutis. . .ocellis. sidus : probably here 
the sun (cf. 11, 16, 3). Suetonius says of Augustus (Aug., 79) : oculos 
habuit claros ac nitidos, quibus etiam existimari volebat inesse quiddam 
divini vigoris, gaudebatque, si quis sibi acrius contuenti quasi ad fidgorem 
solis vultum summitteret . 

13 iurasse : for a similar oath, cf. Am., 11, 16, 44. 
17. Cepheia virgo : Andromeda. See Note on Prop., 111, 22, 29. 
23, 24. Cf. Propertius's question (in, 5, 45): anfictain miseras descendit 
fabula gentis? stulta credulitate : recurs Am., in, 14, 30. 

26. omnia posse : to be all-powerful . 

27. Mavors : an old name for 3Iars, of uncertain meaning. 
32. timent : sc. eas. 

37. peti : to be struck by lightning, Semele : see Note on Prop., 

11, 23, 27, 28. 

49. pater : Juppiter. Baccho : wmen Semele w 7 as destroyed, Bac- 

chus, being prematurely born, was sewed up in the thigh of Zeus and 
born again of him. 



262 COMMENTARY. [Ill, 9, 

III, 9. 

On the death of Tibullus. 

' Tibullus is gone. Let Elegeia, Cupid, and Yenus mourn ! (1-16). 
Even the sacred bard is not safe against Death. Witness Orpheus, Linos, 
and Homer. But their works are immortal (17-32). Neither his piety nor 
his poetry preserved Tibullus (33-46). But at last bis closing hours were 
softened by the presence of those he loved (47-58), and now he is in the 
Elysian fields (59-66). May the earth rest lightly on his grave ' (67, 68). 

I. Memnona : son of Aurora, nephew of Priam, was killed by Achilles. 
Achillem : son of Thetis, killed by Paris. 

3. solve capillos : in token of mourning. 

4. nimis ex vero : Ovid has in mind an old etymology of elegia, from 
e e AeYe, ' cry woe ! woe ! ' Of. Suidas, s. v. eXeyos. 

5. tua fama : in opposition with Tibullus. Similarly, the panegyrist of 
Mess"alla(Tib.. iv, 1, 112) uses the phrase Pylia fama for Nestor. 

7-10. For the attributes of . Eros — youthful, winged, armed with 
arrows, cf Prop., 11, 12. 

10. Cf. Am., in, 6, 58 : pedoraque insana plangis aperta manu. 

II. per colla capilli : see Note on Prop., ti, 3, 13. 

13. fratris . . . Aeneae : cf. Tib., 11, 5, 39 : inpiger Aenea, volitantis 
frater Amoris, and Note. 

14. Iule : Ascanius, son of Aeneas. 

16. iuveni : Adonis. Cf. Prop., 11, 13B, 53. 

17. sacri vates : see Note on Prop , in, 9, 46. 

20. obscuras : cf. the atra Ilors of Tib., 1, 3, 4, 5. 

21. pater : Apollo. Ismario : Thracian ; Ismarus was the name 
of a mountain in Thrace. mater: Calliope. 

23. aelinon : ai'Xivos, a word of Semitic origin, meaning a dirge, and 
probably onomatopoeic. From it seems to have been derived, by per- 
sonification, the mythical musician Linos, son of Apollo. 

25. Maeoniden : cf. 1, 15, 9, and Note. ceu fonte perenni: cf. Plin., 
JSf. H., xvii, 37 : fons ingeniorum Homerus ; Petr., 5: Maeonium... 
fontem. 

26. Pieriis . . . aquis : cf. Prop., in, 3, 52. 

27. summa dies : the day of death. Averno : see Note on Prop 
in, 18, 1. It is used here for the lower world itself. 

28. Cf. 1, 15, 32 : carmina morte carent. 

29. 30. The first line refers to the Iliad, the second to the Odyssey, 
nocturno . . . dolo : the reference is to Penelope's unravelling in the night 
what she had woven in the day. Cf. Horn., Odyss., xix, 149 seq. 






1-60.] ovid's 'amobes.' 263 

31. Nemesis . . . Delia : cf. Introd., 22. 

33, 34. Cf. Tib., 1, 3, 23-26 : quid tua nunc Isis mihi, Delia, quid mihi 
prosunt I ilia tua totiens aera repulsa manu \ quidve, pie dum sacra colis, 
pureque lavari \ te — memini — et puro secubuisse toro ? 

36. sollicitor: followed by the Infinitive as in Lucr., iv, 1196 ; and 
later Lucan, v, 69. 

37. vive pius : moriere : cf. Uor., C, 11, 14, 2 seq. : nee pietas moram | 
rugis et instant i senectae \ adferet indomitaeque morti. 

38. templis : inviolate places of refuge from time immemorial. 
40. See Xote on Tib., iv, n, 14. 

43. templa : Object Accusative with urere. 

44. quae : sc. jiammae (1. 41). 

45. Erycis : Venus Erycina, worshipped on Mt. Eryx in Sicily. 

46. continuisse : earn (i.e. Venerem) must be supplied as the subject of 
the Infinitive. There seems to be a reference here to the popular idea 
that the gods could not weep ; cf. Ovid, M., 11, 621 : neque enim caelestia 
tingui \ ora licet lacrimis ; F., iv, 521 : nequz enim lacrimare deorum 
est ; Eurip., Hippol., 1396 (Artemis speaks) : /car' oaauv 5' ov de/iis fia\eiv 
daicpv. 

47. Phaeacia tellus : the reference is to Tibullus's sickness at Corcyra, 
described in Tib., r, 3. 

48. vili. . .humo : in a similar connection, Propertius, (in, 7, 26) speaks 
of vilis arena. 

49. hinc: with hinc (1. 51), in the sense of from the one side, from the 
other side. Cf. hac. . .hac, in, 11, 34. madidos . . . ocellos : cf. Verg., 
A., v, 856 : natantia lumina. fugientis : dying. 

50. ultima dona: cf. Ovid, Her., vn, 192 : ultima dona ; Cat., ci, 3 : 
postremo . . .munere. 

52. dilaniata : with medial force. 

53. prior: i.e. Delia, his former love. 

55. descendens : departing, after the funeral pyre had been consumed. 

58. A reference to Tib., 1, 1, 59, 60 : te spectem, suprema mihi cum 
venerit hora, \ te teneam moriens, deficiente manu, but there Tibullus is 
addressing Delia, while here Nemesis is speaking. This has caused much 
perplexity to the commentators, but the explanation is very simple. 
Ovid is thinking of the two books of Tibullus— the Delia-book, which 
was completed years before his death, and the Nemesis-book, which he 
had in hand when he died. 

59. Cf. Ovid, Tr., iv, 10, 85 : si tamen extinctis aliquid nisi nomina 
restant ; Prop. , 11, 34, 53 : nee si post Stygias aliquid restabimus undas. 

60. in Elysia valle: a reference to Tib., 1, 3, 58 : {me) ipsa Venus cam- 
pos ducet in Elysios. 



264 COMMENTARY. [Ill, 9, 62-6$; 11, 1-49; 

62. Calvo: cf. Introd., 8. 

83. amici: the emperor Augustus. Cf. Introd., 19. 
64. aniinae prodige : cf. Horace's description of Paullus, C, 1, 12, 37, 
38 : animaeque magnae \ prodigum Paullum. 

66. numeros . . . pios : i.e. numeros piorum. 

67, 68. A poetical variation of the stereotyped formula : sit tibi terra 
levis. Cf. Tib., 11, 4, 49, 50 : bene. . .placideque quiescas, | terraque 
securae sit super ossa levis ; Prop., iv, 2, 62. 

Ill, 11. 

The poet, having determined to free himself from an unworthy and 
degrading love (1-10), rebukes the former object of his affections for her 
faithlessness and ingratitude (17-28) and bids her farewell (29-32). But 
the struggle is not over yet, and after a final conflict of soul (33-42) he 
restores his allegiance and prays for mercy (43-52). 

The poem is far removed from the grand simplicity of Catullus, lxxvi. 

1. Multa diuque: a variation on the common prose formula diu mul- 
tumque. Cf. Sail., lug., 94 ; Flor., 1, 19. 

3. adserui ... me : I have set myself free. With the whole line cf. 
Verg., A., 11, 134 : eripui, fateor, leto me et vincula rupi. 

6. cornua: symbolic of strength and the power of resistance. Cf. 
Hor., C, in, 21, 18 : viresque et addis cornua pauperi ; and Ovid, A. A., 
1, 219 : tunc pauper cornua sumit. 

7. olim: some day (hereafter). 

19. per me cantata : cf. 1, 3, 25 : nos quoque per totum pariter canta- 
bimur orbem, and it. 17, 33 : nee 7iisi tu nostris cantabitur ulla Ubellis ; 
and Prop., in, 2, 15 : fortunata meo si qua es celebrata libello \ carmina 
erunt formae tot monumenta tuae. 

22. in mea damna : e.g. the sore eyes mentioned in in, 3. 

23, 24. Cf. Tib., 1, 2, 21, 22 : ilia (sc. docet) viro coram nutus conferre 
loquaces \ blandaque conpositis abdere verba notis. 

29. votiva . . . corona : when a ship had entered port, the sailors be- 
decked it with wreaths. Cf. Verg., A., iv, 418 : puppibus et laeti nau- 
tae inposuere coronas. 

34. hac amor hac odium : cf. Prop., 1, 3, 14 : hac Amor hac Liber. 

37. fugio . . . fugientem : cf. 111, 9, 37: cole.-, .colentem. 

39. Cf. Mart., xn, 47 : nee tecum possum vivere, nee sine te. 

41. Cf. Mart., vni, 53, 3, 4 : quam te fieri, Catulla, vellem \ formo- 
sam minus aut magis pudicam. 

42. non facit ad: does not suit ; see Note on Prop., in, 1, 20. 
45. lecti socialia iura : the foedera lecti of Ovid, Her., v, 101. 



13,1-31.] OVID'S 'AMORES/ 265 

47. magni mihi numinis instar: cf. Mart., vn, 11 : perque tuas aures, 
magni mihi numinis instar. 

49. mea semper eris : cf . 1, 3, 16 : cur a perennis eris. 

in, 13. 

The festival of Juno at Falerii. 

The introduction (1-6) tells how the poet happened to be there. This 
is followed by a description jf the grove (7-10) and of the sacred proces- 
sion (11-30), and the poem closes with an attempted explanation of the 
origin of these rites (31-36). 

This poem is easily recognizable as a forerunner of the Fasti. 

1. Faliscis: the inhabitants of Falerii, a town in southern Etruria, 
about forty miles north of Rome. 

2. Camille: M. Furius Camillus captured Falerii in B.C. 396. 

3. Iunoni : the worship of Juno was very prominent at Falerii ; Ovid 
(F., vi, 49) speaks of the Iunonicolae Falisci, and Falerii itself was later 
called Colonia Iunonia. 

5. indigenam : the region was famed for its cattle. See Note on 11. 
13, 14. 

7, 8. Cf. in, 1, 1, 2 : stat vetus et multos incaedua silva per annos : \ 
credit) lie est illi numen inesse loco ; and F., in, 295, 296 : lucus Aven- 
tino suberat niger ilicis umbra \ quo posses viso dicere ' numen inest !' 

13. niveae . . . iuvencae : the Faliscan country seems to have been famous 
for its white cattle. Cf. Plin., N. H., n, 230: in Falisco omnis aqua 
pota candidos boves facit. 

14. Cf. F., 1, 84 : (iuvenci) quos aluit campis lierba Fcdisca suis. 

15. fronte : cf. Hor., C, in, 13, 4, 5 : (haedo) cui from turgida corni- 
bus J primis et Venerem et proelia destined. 

16. Cf. Tib., 1, 10, 26 : hostiaque e plena rustica porcus tiara. 

17. duxque gregis : see Note on Tib., 1, 10, 10. 

19. This flight of Juno has been interpreted by Roscher (Lexikon der 
Gr. u. Rom. Mythol., n, 591) as an episode in the wooing of Juppiter. 
The whole Faliscan ceremony is, according to him, a iepbs yd/mos. or Sacred 
Marriage. 

22. auctori : the boy who kills it, obtains it. ipsa : sc. capella. 

27. more . . . Graio : see Note on 1. 31. 

29. ore : i.e. lingua. See Note on Tib., n, 1, 1. aurea pompa: cf. 
in, 2, 44. 

30. ipsa: the goddess herself, i.e. her image. 

31. Argiva : the procession was like that of Hera at Argos. It was 
probably just such a purely external resemblance which led ancient 



266 COMMENTARY. [Ill, 13, 32; 15, 1-20. 

writers to consider the cult as connected with Argos, and to posit the 
hero Halaesus. 

32. Halaesus : a son of Agamemnon who was supposed to have founded 
Falerii. Cf. Serv., A., vn, 723 (speaking of Halaesus): hunc Agamem- 
nonis pleriqe comitem, plerique nothum filium volunt. 

Ill, 15. 

A farewell to the writing of elegies. The poet, taking leave of love- 
poetry, tells of his family and his birthplace (1-6) and how he will be 
honored there (7-14), and bids farewell to Venus and the lighter Muse 

(15-20). ^ ' . 

1. tenerorum: see Note on in, 1, 69. mater: Venus. 

2. raditur : see Note on in, 2, 12. ultima meta : Prop., iv, 2, 58 is 
a slightly different metaphor : haec spatiis ultima creta meis. 

3. Paeligne ruris alumnus: cf. 11, 1, 1, and Note 

5-6. Cf. 1, 3, 8 and Note. This same couplet recurs, Ovid, Jr., iv, 10, 
7,8. 

7. Mantua : Vergil was born in the village of Andes, near the town of 
Mantua. 

9. quam : sc. gentem. The reference is to the Social or Marsic war of 
B.C. 90-89. 

10. socias . . . manus : the allies, who wanted full citizenship. 

11. Sulmonis aquosi : see Note on 11, 1, 1. 

14. tantum : contrasted with quant ulacumque. 

15. puer : Amor. parens: Venus, called Amathusia because of he r 
famous cult at Amathus on the island of Cyprus. 

16. aurea: the standards of xP vcr ^V ' ^(ppodirr) are themselves golden. 

17. corniger: symbolic of his strength. Cf. Tib., 11, 1, 3 seq. : Bacclie; 
veni, dulcisque tuis e cornibus uva \ pendeat. thyrso graviore : cf. 
in, 1, 23 and Note. Lyaeus : see Note on Prop., in, 5, 21. 

18. area maior : cf. F., iv, 10: nunc teritur nostris area maior equis. 
20. post mea fata : after my death. Similarly post fata : after death ; 

e.g. 1, 15, 39: pascitur in vivis Livor, post fata quiescit. 



CRITICAL APPENDIX. 



TIBULLUS. 

The two most important MSS. are : 

A codex Ambrosianus of the xiv century. 
V codex Vaticanus of the xiv-xv century. 

To these may be added a third, slightly inferior : 

G codex Guelf erbytanus of the xy century. 
Besides these, there are two important excerpts : 

Fris. excerpta Frisiana of the xi century. 

Par. excerpta Parisina of the xii-xiii century. 
Lastly we have Scaliger's collation — 

Plant, of a valuable old fragmentary manuscript, which began at 
in, 4, 65. 

The following are the variations of these selections from the text of 
Haupt-Vahlen, ed. v. Leipsic, 1885. The reading of Haupt-Vahlen is 
indicated by H. 

I 1, 25 iam modo iam Fris. iam modo iners H iam modo non 
AVG 2, 88 non in nos Leo {Kiessling-Wilamoivitz, Philol. Unter- 
such. II 39) non uni H (Itali) non unus AVG 5, 11 ter Itali te H 
(AVG) 10, 11 dulcis Heinsius vulgo H vulgi AVG 37 perscis- 
sisque Par. (percussisque AVG) rescissisque H. 

II 1, 67 ipse interque greges G ipse quoque inter agros H (A) ipse 
quoque inter greges V 2, 21 hac veniat Xatalis avi Hitter (hac venias 
Xatalis avi Heinsius) hie veniat natalis avis H (AV) hec G 3, 47 at 
mihi Par. at tibi H (AVG) 5, 4 sacras Leo (11. p. 7) novas H meas 
AVG. 

IV 4, 6 Candida Itali pallida H (AVG) 9, 2 meo Husclike tuo H 
(AVG) suo Itali 13, 16, tibi AVG Plant, mihi H (Scaliger) 21 facias 
L. Mueller faeiam H (AVG). 

PROPERTIUS. 

The MSS. are ]ate and for the most part interpolated. The purest 
seems to be : 

N codex Xeapolitanus of the xii-xiii century (?) 



268 CRITICAL APPENDIX. 

Next to it in importance are: 

V codex Ottoboniano-Vaticanus of the xiv-xy century. 
D codex Daventriensis of t>he xv century. 

As above in the case of Tibullns, the following are the variations from 
the text of Haupt-Vahlen, whose readings are indicated by H: 

I 1, 25 et vos VD ant vos H {Hemsterhuys) 2, 9 quos NVD quo 
H 10 ut Itali et H (VD) 13 praelncent Hertzberg persuadent H 
(VD) 3, 16 avara Baehrens et arm a H(VD) 27 duxit VD dnxti H 
(Itali) 31 praecurrens N percurrens H(VD) 7, 16 qnam Ileinsius 
quod H (NVD) | te violasse Itali evoluisse H (Laclimann) eviolasse 
NVD 8, 21 de te VD taeilae H (Itali) 25 Atraciis N(athraciis Va 

| thraciis D) Autariis H ( Yolscus) 45 subducet Rotlistein (Itali) sub- 
ducit H (NVD) 9, 4 qu(a)evis NVD quovis H (Laclimann) 11, 3 
Thesproti N Tesproromti VD te Protei H (Parrhasius, Laclimann) 18 
timetur VD veretur H (Laclimann) 12, 19 desistere Itali (dissistere N) 
discedere H (VD) 14, 5 nemus omne NVD nemus unde H (Laclimann) 
ut tendat Rotlistein intendat H (NVD) 17, 3 Cassiope (Casiopae VD) 
Cassope H 11 reponere NVD opponere H (Itali) 18, 17 colore NVD 
calore H (V m. 2.) 19, 10 Thessalns (T(h)essalus N) Thessalis H (VD). 

II 1, 44 et nnmerat N enumerat H (VD) 51 sunt N sint H (VD) 69 
Caucasea (VD) Caucasia H (N) 6, 26 quidlibet N cnilibet H (quoilibet 
VD) 10, 11 anime Hemsius saiimsi H (NVD) 11, 3 tecum NVD secum 
H (Itali) 13, 43 rT = 13c H 53 Adonem NVD Adonin H (Itali) 27, 
1 at NVD et H (Itali) 5 sequimur NVD sequitur H (Itali) 28, 20 
Leucothoen NVD Leucotheen H (Itali) 36 iacet NVD tacet H (Can- 
ter) 45 operata Ileinsius (operta NVD) adoperta H (V m. 2.) 48 
Persephonae V m. 2. (Persephone NVD) Persephones H (Itali) 53 f et 
quot H 54 \ et Phoebi H 31, 3 tanta NVD tota H (Itali) 34, 83 
sim NVD si H (Itali). 

III 3, 32 Gorgoneo N, V m. 2. Gorgonio H (Itali) Gorgonico VD 5, 3 
tamen VD tantum H (Laclimann) 4 bibit NVD bibat H 5 aratur 
NVD aretnr H 19 invet Rotlistein (cf. II, 13, 11 and II 34, 59) iuvat 
H (NVD) 21 iuvet N iuvat H (VD) 7, 1 vitae N vitae's H (vitae 
es VD) 22 notat (VD) nota et H (Itali) 68 Thetis N Theti H 
(Itali) 9, 16 propria VD patria H Paria Broukli usius 17 concurrnnt 
V concurrit H (ND) 10, 8 Niobae (Niobe VD) Xiobes H 25 convivia 
VD convicia H (cf. Ovid 31 xi, 600) 18, 9 hie Guyet his H (NVD) 32 
suae VD tuae H (N) 21, 25 f illic H 26 f incipiam H 22, 9 
Geryonis VD (Girionis N) Geryonae H (Itali) 23, 18 dncitnr NVD 
dicitui- H (Itali). 



CRITICAL APPENDIX. 269 

IV 2, 37 hie Ileinsius hoc H (NVD) 3, 11 et pactae in gauclia noctes 
Rothstein et pactae sunt mihi noctes H hae sunt pactae mihi noctes 
VD 48 adstrieto Rothstein (Eldiek) tetricus H (Sclineideivin) Africus 
VD (Affricus N) 4, 3 conditus NVD consitus H {Itali) 34 ora Grono- 
vius esse H (NVD) 47 cessabitur A. Palmer pugnabitur H (NVD) 55 
sic hospes NVD si posces H 7.2 fertur NVD pectus K Hertzberg 6, 
3 serta Scaliger ara H (Ha/upt) eera NVD certent Scaliger certet H 
(NVD) 28 una (Itali) unda H (NVD) 7, 37 aut NVD at H (V m. 
2.) 57 f vehit H 72 chloridos N, V m. 2. (Cloridos VD) Doridos H 

(Ymg. m. 2.) 74 potuit NVD patuit H (Itali) 11, 8 umbrosos VD 
herbosos H (N) 13 habuit NVD habui H (Itali). 

OVID. 

For the amatory works in general, the most valuable MSS. are two in 
Paris : 

P codex Puteaneus of the m (or ix ?) century. 
R codex Regius of the x century. 
For the 'Amores ' in particular may be added to these S codex Sangal- 
lensis of the xi century. 

The following are the variations of these selections from the text of 
Merkel-Ehwald, Leipsic, 1891. Their readings have been indicated by M. 

I 3, 12 haec PS hinc M hac Palmer 9, 5 annos PRS animos M (Rau- 
teniberg) 12, 11 ah ! Riese at M. 

II 9, 25 = 9 B. 1. M (L. Mueller) 16, 25, 26 ante 23, 2 % posuit Eliwald. 

III 1, 47, 48 ante J/.3 posuit Eliwald {Drenkhahri) 58 mersit P mer- 
sat M 2, 57 novam Postgate ' codices multi ' novae M (PS) 84 hoc 
satis hie Heinsius hie satis est M hoc satis est PS 3, 1 i, crede Hein- 
sius hie crede M (PS) • 11, 33 = 11 B. 1. M. (L. Mueller). 



INDEX OF PROPER NAMES. 



Accias, 0., i, 15, 19. 

Achaemenius, P., 11, 13, 1. 

Achaia, P., 11, 28c, 53. 

Achelous, P., 11, 34, 33. 

Acheron, P., in, 5, 13. 

Achilles. P., 11, 1, 37 ; 3, 39. in, 18, 27. iv, 

11, 39, 40. 0., 1, 9, 33. 11, i,29. in, 9, 1. 
Achivus, P., in, 18, 29. 
Actius, P., 11, 1, 34 ; 34, 61. iv, 6, 17, 67. 
Admetus, T., n, 3, 11. P., n, 6, 23. 
Adonis, P., 11, 13B, 53. 
Adrastus, P., 11, 34, 37. 
Adriacos, p., in, 21, 17. 
Aeacus, P,, it, ii, 19. 
Aegaeus, T., 1, 3, 1. P., 1, 6, 2. in, 7, 57. 
Aegyptus, P., 11, 1, 31. 0., m, 9, 33. 
Aeniilius, P., in, 3, 8. 
Aeneas, T., n, 5, 19, 39. P., n, 34, 63. in, 

4, 20. 0., ni, 9, 13. 
Aeneius, 0., 1, 15, 25. 
Aeolius, P., 11, 3, 19. 
Aeschyleus, P., n, 34, 41. 
Aesonius, P., in, n, 12. 0., 1, 15, 22. 
Aetna, P., in, 2, 5. 
Aetolus, P., 11, 34, 33. 
Afer, P., iv, 11, 30. 
Africa, T,, n, 13, 58. P., it, ii, 38. 
Agamemnon,- P., iv, 6, 33. 0., in, 13, 31. 
Agamemnon his, P., in, 7, 21. 
Aganippeus, P., n, 3, 20. 
Alba, T., 1, 7, 58. n, 5, 50. P., in, 3, 1. iv, 

6,37. 
Albanns, P., in, 22, 25. 
Alcinous, P., 1, 14, 24. 
Alcmaeonius, P., in, 5, 41. 
Alcyon, P., in, 10, 9. 
Alexandria, P., in, 11, 33. 
Alexis, P., 11, 34, 73. 
Alpes, 0., 11, 16, 19. 
Amalthea, T., n, 5, 67. 
Amathusia, 0., m, 15, 15. 
Amor, T., 1, 3, 21, 57, 64 ; 10, 57. 11, 1, 80 ; 

2, 18 ; 3, 4, 71 ; 5, 39, 106 ; 6, 1, 15. iv, 2, 

6; 3, 4; 6,12. P., 1, 1, 4, 17 ; 2, 8 ; 3, 14 ; 

7, 20, 26 ; 9, 12, 23, 28 ; 12, 16 ; 14, 8, 15 ; 



17, 27 ; 18, 8 ; 19, 22. n, 2, 2 ; 3, 24 ; 

6, 22 ; 10, 26 ; 12, 1 ; 13, 2. in, 1, 11 ; 5, 

1 ; 16, 16 ; 23, 16. 0., 1, 1, 26 ; 2, 8, 18, 32 ; 

3, 12. 11, 1, 3, 38 ; 9, 34. in, 1, 20, 43, 69 ; 

i 5 ,l. 
Amphiarens, P., n, 34, 39. 
Amphionius, P., 1, 9, 10. 
Androgeos, P., 11, 1, 62. 
Andromache, 0., 1, 9, 35. 
Andromede, P., 1, 3, 4. 11, 28, 21. in, 22, 

29. iv, 7, 63. 
Anienus, T., u, 5. 69. P., in, 16, 4. iv, 7, 

86. 
Anio, P., in, 22, 23. iv, 7, 81. 
Antaeus, P., in, 22, 10. 
Antilochus, P., n, 13B, 49. 
Antimachus, P., 11, 34, 45. 
Antonius, P., in, 9, 56. 
Anubis, P., m, n, 41. 

Aonius, P., 1, 2, 28. in, 3, 42. 0., I, 1, 12. 
Apollo, T., 11, 3, 11 ; 5, 79. P., 1," 2, 22 ; 3, 

6 ; 8b, 41. 11, 1, 3. in, 2, 7 ; 9, 11, 39 ; n, 

69. iv, 6, 11, 69. 0., 1, 15, 35. in, 3, 29. 
Aqnilo, P., 11, 5. 11. in, 7, 13, 71. 
Aquitanus, T., I, 7, 3. n, 1, 33. 
Arabius, P,, 1, 14, 19. n, 3, 15 ; 10, 16. 
Arabs, T., 11, 2, 4. iv, 2, 18. 
Arar, T., 1, 7, 11. 
Aratus, 0., 1, 15, 16. 
Araxes, P,, iv, 3, 35. 
Arcadius, P., 1, 1, 14 ; 18, 20. n, 28, 23. 
Archemorus, P., 11, 34, 38. 
Arethusa, P., iv, 3, 1. 

Argivus, P., 1, 19, 14. 0., 1, 9, 34. in, 13, 31. 
Argolicus, 0., 11, 6, 15. 
Argous, P., in, 22, 13. 
Argus, P., 1, 3, 20. 
Argynnus, P., in, 7, 22. 
Ariadna, P., n, 3, 18. 
Arion, P., 11, 34, 37. 
Armenius, T., 1, 5, 36. P., 1, 9, 19. 
Arretinus, T., iv, 8, 4. 
Ascanius, T., n, 5, 50. 
Ascraeus, P,, 11, 10, 25 ; 13, 4 ; 34, 77. 0., 

I, i5, 11- 



2/2 



INDEX OF PROPER NAMES. 



Asia, P., i, 6, 14. n, 3, 36. 0., n, 12, 18. 

Assyrius, T., 1, 3, 7. 

Atalante, 0., in, 2, 29. 

Atax, T., 1, 7, 4. 

Athamantis, P., in, 22, 5. 

Athamanus, P,, it, 6, 15. 

Athenae, P 1, 6, 13. in, 21, 1. 

Atlas, P., in, 22, 7. 

Atracins, P., 1, 8, 25. 

Atrides, P., in, 7, 23 ; 18, 30. 0., 1, 9, 37. 

11, 1, 30 ; 12, 10. 
Attalicus, P., 11, 13B, 22. in, 18, 19. 
Atticus, 0., 1, 9, 2. 
Augustus, P., 11, 10, 15. in, 11, 50. iy, 6, 

23, 29, 37, 81. 
Aurora, T., 1, 3, 93. 
Ausouius, P., in, 4, 5 ; 22, 30 ; 4, 43. 
Auster, T., i, 1, 47. 
Avernus, P., in, 18, 1. 0., in, 9, 27. 

Babylon, P,, in, n, 21. 
Bacchae, P., in, 22, 23. 
Bacchus, T., 1, 7, 39, 41. 11, 1, 3, 55 ; 3, 63, 

64 ; s, 87. P., 1, 3, 9. in, 2, 7. iv, 6, 76. 

0., 1, 2, 47. in, 2, 53 ; 3, 40. 
Bactra, P., in, 1, 16 ; 11, 26. iv, 3, 7, 63. 
Baiae, P., 1, n, 1, 27, 30. in, 18, 2, 7. 
Battiad.es, 0., i, 15, 13. 
Bellerophonteus, P., in, 3, 2. 
Blanditiae, 0., 1, 2, 35. 
Boebeis, P., 11, 2, 11, 
Bootes, P,, in, s, 35. 
Boreas, P., n, 27, 12. 
Bosporus, P., in, 11, 68. 
Brimo, P., n, 2, 12. 
Briseis, 0., 1, 9, 33. 
Britannia, P., iv, 3, 9. 
Britannus, P,, n, 1, 76 ; 27, 5. 0., n, 16, 39. 

Cadmeus, P., 1, 7, 1. 

Cadmus, P., in, 9, 38. 

Caesar, P., n, 1, 25, 26, 42 ; 31, 2, 34, 62, 

in, 4, 1, 13 ; 9, 27, 33 ; 11, 66, 72 ; 18, 12, 

34. iv, 6, 13 (bis), 56, 59 ; 11, 58. 0., 1, 

2, 51. 
Callimachus, P., 11, 1, 40 ; 34, 32. in, 1, 1 ; 

9,43. 
Calliope, P., n, 1, 3. in, 5, 51. iv, 6, 12. 
Calliopea, P., 1, 2, 28. in, 2, 14 ; 3, 38. 
Callisto, P., 11, 28, 23. 
Calvus, P., 11, 34, 89. 0., in, 9, 62. 
Camenae, T., iv, 7, 3. P., in, 10, 1. 



Camillus, P., in, 9, 31 ; n, 67. 0., in, 13, 2. 

Campania, P., in, 5, 5. 

Canis, T., 1, 1, 27. P., n, 28, 4. 

Cannensis, P., in, 3, 10. 

Canopus, P., in, n, 39. 

Capaneus, P., n, 34, 40. 

Capena, P,, iv, 3, 71. 

Caphareus, P., in, 7, 39. 

Capitolius, P M iv, 4, 27. 

Carnutus, T., 1, 7, 12. 

Carpathius, P., 11, 5, 11. in, 7, 12. 

Carthago, P., n, 1, 23. 

Cassiope, P., 1, 17, 3. 

Castalius, P., in, 3, 13. 0., 1, 15, 36. 

Castor, P., 1, 2, 15. 0., n, 16, 13. in, 2, 54. 

Catullus, P., 11, 34, 87. 0., in, 9, 62 ; 15, 7. 

Caucaseus, P., n, 1, 69. 

Caucasus, P., 1, 14, 6. 

Caystrus, P., in, 22, 15. 

Centauricus, P., iv, 6, 49. 

Centaurus, P., n, 2, 10 ; 6, 17. 

Cepheius, P., 1, 3, 3. 0., in, 3, 17. 

Cepheus, P., iv, 6, 78. 

Ceraunia, P., 1, 8, 19. 

Cerberus, T., 1, 3, 71 ; 10, 36. P., in, 5, 

44. iv, 7, 90 ; 11, 25. 
Ceres, T., 1, i, 15. 11, 1, 4 ; 5, 58, 84. 0., 

1, 1, 9 ; 15, 12. 11, 16, 7. in, 2, 53. 
Cerinthus, T., iv, 3, 11 ; 4, 15 ; 5, 1, 5 ; 

n,l. 
Chaonius, P., 1, 9, 5. 
Charybdis, 0., n, 16, 25. 
Chiron, P., n, 1, 60. 
Chius, T., 11, 1, 28. 
Chloris, P., iv, 7, 72. 
Cilices, T., 1, 2, 3 ; 7, 16. 0., n, 16, 39. 
Cilissa, P., iv, 6, 74. 
Cimbri, P., n, 1, 24. 
Circaeus, P., 11, 1, 53. 
Cithaeron, P, ? 111, 2, 3. 
Claudia, P., iv, n, 52. 
Claudius, P., in, 18, 33. 
Clitumnus, P., 11, 19, 25. in, 22, 23. 
Clytaemestra, P., rv, 7, 57. 
Codes, P., in, 9, 48. 
Coeus, P., in, 11, 63. 
Colchis, P,, 11, 1, 54 ; 34, 8. in, n, 9. 
Colchus, P,, in, 22, 11. 
Corinna, P., 11, 3, 21. 0., n, 6, 48 ; 12, 2. 

in, 1, 49. 
Corinthus, P,, in, 5, 6. 
Cornelia, P., iv, n, 13, 43. 



IXDEX OF PROPER NAMES. 



?73 



Cornutus, T., n, 2. 9 ; 3. 1. 

Corsicus, 0., 1, 12, 10. 

Corydon, P., 11, 34. 73. 

Cons, T., ir. 3. 53. P., 1, 2, 2. 11, 1. 5, 6. 

in, 1, 1 ; 9. 44. iv, 2, 23. 
Crassus, P., 11, 10, 14. in, 4, 9 ; 5, 48. it, 

6, 83. 
Cressus, P., 11, 1, 61. it, 7. 57. 
Cretheus, P., 11, 34, 29. 
Croesus. P., 111. 5, 17 ; 18, 28. 
Cumaeus, P,, 11. 2, 16. 
Cumanus, T., n, 3. 48. 
Cupido, T., 11. 1, 67 ; 3. .33 ; 5, 107. P., 1, 

I. 2. 0., 1, 1, 3 ; 2, 19 ; 9, 1 ; 15, 27. 11, 
9, 1, 33, 47, 51 ; 12, 27. in, 1, 41. 

Cures, P., it, 4. 9. 

Curii, P., in, 3, 7. 

Curtius, P,, in, 11, 61. 

Cybebe, P., in. 22. 3. iv. 7. 61 ; n, 51. 

Cydnus, T., 1, 7- 13. 

Cynthia, P., 1. 1. 1 ; 3 , 8, 22 ; 6, 16 ; 8, 8 ; 
8b. "30, 42 ; n, 1, 8, 23, 26 ; 12, 2, 6, 20 
(bis) ; 17. 5 ; 18. 5. 6. 22, 31 ; 19, 1, 15, 21. 

II, 5, 1, 4, 28 (bis), 30 ; 6, 40 ; 13, 7 : 13B. 
57 ; 19, 1, 7 ; 34, 93. in, 21, 9. iv, 7, 3, 85. 

Cynthius, P., n, 34, 80. 
Cyrenaeus, P,, iv, 6, 4. 
Cytaine, P,, 1, 1, 24. 
Cytherea, T., it, 7, 3. 0., 1, 3, 4. 
Cyzicus, P., in, 22, 1. 

Danaus, T., 1, 3. 79. P,, 11, 31, 4. in, 9, 

40; 11, 14; 22, 34. 
Daphnis. p,, n, 34, 68. 
Dardanus. P., i 5 19, 14. 
Decius, P., in, 11, 62. 
Decor, T., iv, 2, 8. 
Deiphobus, P., 111, 1, 29. 
Delia, T., 1. 1, 57, 61, 68 ; 2, 71 ; 3, 9, 23, 29, 

92 ; 5, 21, 32. it, 3, 5. 0., in, 9, 31, 55. 
Delos, T., 11. 3, 27. P,, it, 6, 27. 
Delphicus, T., n, 3. 27. 
Demostherjes, P., 111. 21, 27. 
Diana. T., it, 3, 19. P,, n, 19, 17; 28c, 6. 

0., in, 2, 31. 
Dindymus, P., in. 22. 3. 
Dis, P., in, 22, 4. 
Doricus, P #) rv, 6, 34. 
Doris, P., 1, 17, 25. 
Dulichius, P., in, 5, 17. 

Edonis, P., 1, 3. 5. 

18 



Elegeia, 0., in, 1, 7 ; 9, 3. 

Eleus. P,, in, 2. 18 ; 9, 17. 

Elis, P., r, 8b, 36. 

Elysius, T., 1, 3, 58. P., it, 7, 60. 0., n, 

6, 49. in, 9, 60. 
Enceladus. P., 11, 1, 39. 
Ermius, P., in, 3, 6. 0., 1, 15. 19. 
Eous, T., 11. 2, 16. it, 2, 20. P., 11, 3, 43. 

it, 3, 10 ; 6, 81. 0., i,*i5,29. n, 6, 1. 
Ephyreus, P., n. 6. 1. 
Epicurus, P., in. 21. 26. 
Epidaurius, P., 11, 1. 61. 
Erichthonius. P., 11, 6, 4. 
Eridanus, P., 1, 12, 4. 
Error, 0., 1, 2, 35. 
Eryx. 0., in. 9. 45. 
Esquilius. P., in. 23. 24. 
Etruscns. P,, 1. 22. 6. in, 9, 1. 
Evenus, P., 1. 2, 18. 
Eumenides. P,, iv. n. 22. 
Euphrates, P,, n. 10. 13. in. 4. 4 : n, 25. 

it. 6, 84. 
Europe, P., n, 3. 33. 0., n, 12, 18 ; 28c, 52. 
Eurus, T., 1. 5- 35. P., in, 5, 30. 0., 1, 9, 

13. 

Fabius. P,, in. 3, 9. 

Falernus, T., 11, 1, 27. P., it, 6, 73. 

Faliscus. 0., in. 13, 1. 14. 35. 

Farua. P #) 11. 34. 94. in. 1. 9 ; 9, 8. 

Fata, P., it, 7. 51. 

Faunus, P., it, 2, 34. 

Fides, 0., 1, 3, 13. 

Fortuna, P., 1, 6, 25. in, 7, 32. 

Furor, 0., 1. 2. 35. 

Galaesus, P,, n, 34, 67. 

Galatea, P., 1, 8, 18. in, 2, 5. 

Gallicus, P,, 11, 13B, 48. 

Gallus, P., 11, 31, 13; 34, 91. 0., 1, 15, 29 

(Ms), 30. in. 9, G4. 
Gangetis. 0., 1. 2. 47. 
Garumna. T., 1. 7. 11. 

Genius, T., 1, 7, 49 (bis), n. 2. 5. iv, 5, 8, 9. 
Geryon, P., in, 22, 9. 
Gelae. P,, iv. 3. 9. 
Gnosius. P., 1. 3. 2. n, 12, 10. 
Gorgo. P., 11, 2. 8. 
Gorgoneus. P., in, 3, 32. 
Graecia, P, 5 n, 6. 2. in, 7, 40. 
Grains, T., 11, 5, 68. P., n, 6, 19 ; 34, 65. 

in. 1. 4 ; 9. 41; 22, 37. 0., in, 13, 27. 



274 



IKDEX OF PROPEE KAMES. 



Gygaeus, P,, in, n, 18. 
Gyges, 0., ii, i, 12. 

Hadria, P,, i, 6, 1. 

Haemonius, P., n, i, 63 ; io, 2, in, i, 26. 

0., ii, i, 32 ; 9, 7. 
Halaesus, 0., m, 13, 32. 
Hamadryades, P., n, 34, 76. 
Hannibal, P,, in, 3, 11 ; n, 59. 
Hector, P,, in, 1, 28. 0., 1, 9, 35. n, 1, 32; 

6, 42. 
Hectoreus, P., iv, 6, 38. 
Helena, P., n, 1, 50 ; 3, 32 ; 34, 88. 
Helenus, P., in, 1, 29. 
Helicon, P., n, 10, 1. in, 3, 1 ; 5, 19. 
Heliconius, 0., 1, 1, 15. 
Helle, P., in, 22, 5. 
Hercules, P., in, 22, 10. 
Herculeus, P., i,.ii, 2. in, 18, 4. iv, 7, 82. 
Heron, 0., n, 16, 31. 
Herophile, T., n, 5, 68. 
Hesperides, P,, in, 22, 10. 
Hesperius, P., n, 3, 43, 44. 0., 1, 15, 29. 
Hiberus, P., n, 3, 11. 
Hilaira, P., 1, 2, 16. 
Hippodamia, P., 1,2, 20; 8b, 35. 0., in, 

2,16. 

Hippolyte, P., iv, 3, 43. 

Homerus, P., 1, 7, 3; 9, 11. n, 1, 21, 34, 45. 

in, 1, 33. 
Honos, P., in, 1, 22. 
Horatius, 0., m, 3, 7. 
Hylaeus, P., 1, 1, 13. 
Hylleus, P., 1, 18, 26. 
Hymenaeus, P., iv, 4, 61. 
Hypanis, P., 1, 12, 4. 
Hypermestre, P., iv, 7, 63, 67. 

Iacchus, P., 11, 3, 17. iv, 2, 31. 

Iasis, P., 1, 1, 10. 

Iason, P., 11, 34, 85. 

Icarius, 0., n, 16, 4. 

Idaeus, P., 11, 2, 14. in, 1, 27. 

Idalius, P., 11, 13B, 54. iv, 6, 59. 

Idas, P., 1, 2, 17. 

Ide, 0., 1, 15, 9. 

I ia, T., 11,5, 52. 

Iliacus, P., 11, 13B, 48. iv, 4, 69. 

Ilias, P., 11, 1, 14, 50 ; 34, 66. 

Hion, T., 11, 5, 22. P,, in, 1, 31. 

Illyria, P,, 1, 8, 1. 

Inachis, P., 1, 3, 20. 



Inachius, P., 11, 13, 8. 

India, T., 11, 3, 54. P., n, 10, 15. 

Indiges, T., 11, 5,44. 

Indus, T., 11, 2, 15. iv, 2, 20. P., 1, 8b, 39. 

in, 4, 1. iv, 3, 10. 0., 11, 6, 1. 
Ino, P., 11, 28, 19. 
Io, P., 11, 28, 17. 0., 1, 3, 21. 
Iolciacus, P., 11, 1, 54. 
Ionius, P., 1, 6, 31. in, 11, 72 ; 21, 19. 

6, 16, 58. 
lope, P., 11, 28c, 51. 
Iphigenia, P,, in, 7, 24. 
Irus, P., in, 5, 17. 
Ischomache, P., 11, 2, 9. 
Isis, T., 1, 3, 23. 
Ismarius, P., n, 13, 6. 0., n, 6, 7. in, 9, 

21. 
Isthmos, P., in, 21, 22; 22, 2. 
Italia, P., 1, 22, 4. in, 7, 63. iv, 3, 40. 
Italus, P., in, 1, 4; 22, 26, 28. 
Itys, P., 111, 10, 10. 0., 11, 6, 10. 
Iugurtha, P., in, 5, 16. iv, 6, 66. 
Iuleus, P., iv, 6, 17. 
Iulius, P., iv, 6, 54. 
lulus, 0., in, 9, 14. 
Iuno, T., 1, 3, 73. iv, 6, 1; 13, 15. P., n, 5, 

17 ; 28, 11, 33. in, 22, 35. 0., m, 13, 3. 
Iunonius, 0., n, 6, 55. in, 13, 35. 
Iuppiter, T., 1, 3, 49; 7, 26. n, 5, 10, 26, 41. 

P., 11, 1, 39; 2, 4, 6 ; 3, 30 ; 13, 10 ; 28, 1; 

28c, 44 ; 34, 18, 40. m„ 1 27; 2, 18; 3, 12; 

4, 6 ; 9, 15, 47 ; n, 28, 41, 66. iv, 4, 2, 10, 

30, 85 ; 6, 14, 23. 0.> n, 1, 15, 17, 18, 19. 

in, 3, 30, 35. 
Ixion, T., 1, 3, 73. P., iv, n, 23. 
Ixionides, P., 11, 1, 38. 

Lais, P., 11, 6, 1. 

Lalage, P., iv, 7, 45. 

Lapithae, P., n, 2, 9. 0., n, 12, 19. 

Lar, T., 1, 3,34; 7, 58. 

Lares, T., 1, 1, 20 ; 10, 15, 25. n, 1, 60 ; 5, 

20,42. P., in, 3, 11. iv, 3, 54. 
Latinus, P., iv, 6, 45 ; 12, 22. 
Latius, P., 11, 34, 31. in, 4, 6. 
Latona, T., n, 3, 23. 
Latris, P., iv, 7, 75. 
Lavinium, T., h, 5, 49. 
Lavinus, P,, n, 34, 64. 
Laurens, T., n, 5, 41, 49. 
Lechaeus, P., in, 21, 19. 
Lepidus, P., iv, n, C3. 



INDEX OF PROPER NAMES. 



275 



Lesbia, P., 11, 34, 88. 

Lesbius, P., 1, 14, 2. 

Lethaeus, T., 1, 3, 80. iv, 7, 10, 91. 

Leucadia, P., 11, 34, 86. 

Leucadius, P., in, 11, 69. 

Leucippis, P., 1, 2, 15. 

Leucothoe, P., 11, 28, 20. 

Liber, P., 1, 3, 14. 

Libo, P., it, 11, 31. 

Liburnus, P., in, n, 44. 

Libycus, P., 11, 31, 12. 0., n, 16, 21. 

Liger, T., 1, 7, 12. 

Linus, P., 11, 13, 8. 0., in, 9, 23. 

Livor, 0., 1, 15, 1, 39. 

Lucifer, P,, n, 19, 38. 

Lucretius, 0., i, 15, 23. 

Lucrinus, P., 1, n, 10. 

Luna, P., 11, 26B, 37 ; 34, 52. 

Lyaeus, P., 111, 5, 21 ; 15, 17. 

Lycius, P., in, 1, 38. 

Lycomedius, P., iv, 2, 51. 

Lycoris, P., 11, 34, 91. 0., 1, 15, 30. 

Lycotas, P., iv, 3, 1. 

Lydius, P., 1, 6, 32 ; in, n, 18 ; iv, 7, 62. 

0., ni, 1, 14. 
Lydus, P., in, 5, 17. 
Lygdamus, P., iv, 7, 35. 
Lynceus, P., n, 34, 9, 25. 
Lysippus, P., in, 9, 9. 

Macer, T., n, 6, 1. 

Machaon, P., n, 1, 59. 

Maeandrius, P,, 11, 34, 35. 

Maecenas, P., 11, i, 17, 73. in, 9, 1, 21, 34, 

59. 
Maenas, 0., 1, 9, 33. 
Maeonides, 0., 1, 15, 9. in, 9, 25. 
Maeonius, P., 11, 28, 29. 
Maeoticas, P., 11. 3, 11. 
Maeotis, P., in, 11, 14. 
Malea, 0., 11, 16, 24. 
Mamnrins, P., iv, 2, 61. 
Manes, T., 1, 1, 67 ; 11, 6, 37. P., 1, 19, 1 ; 

11, 13E, 32, 57. in, 1, 1. iv, 7, 1. 
Mantua, 0., in, 15. 7. 
Marcius, P., in. 2, 12 : 22, 21. 
Marianus, P., in, 3, 43. 
Marius, P., 11, 1, 24. in, 5, 16. n, 46. 
Marpessius, T., n, 5, 67. 
Mars, T., 1, 10, 30. n, 5, 51. iv, 2, 1. P., 

11. 34, 56. in, 3, 42 ; 4, 11; n, 58. 0., 1, 

1, 12 ; 9. 29. 39. 47. in. 2. 49. 



Martius, T., 1, 1, 4; 2, 68. 

Mayors, P., 11, 27, 8. 0., in, 3, 27. 

Mausoleus, P,, in, 2, 19. 

Medus, P., in, 9, 25. 

Memnon, 0., hi, 9, 1. 

Memnonius, P., 1, 6, 4. 

Memphis, P., in, n, 34. 

Meraphites, T., 1, 7, 28. 

Menandreus, P., n, 6, 3. 

Menandros, P., m, 21, 28. 0., 1, 15, 18. 

Menelaus, P., n, 3, 37 ; 34, 7. 

Menoetiades, P,, n, 1, 38. 

Mens Bona, 0., I, 2, 31. 

Mentor, P., in, 9, 13. 

Mentoreus, P., 1, 14, 2. 

Mercurius, P., 11, 2, 11. 

Meroe, P., iv, 6, 78. 

Merops, P., 11, 34, 31. 

Messalinus, T-, n, 5, 17, 115. 

Messalla, T., 1, 1, 53 ; 3, 1, 56 ; 5, 31 ; 7, 7. 

11, 1, 31, 33 ; 5, 119. iv, 8, 5. 
Miianion, P., 1, t, 9. 0., m, 2, 29. 
Mimnermus, P., 1, 9, 11. 
Minerva, T., n, 1, 65. P., 1, 2, 80. 0., 1, 

1, 7, 8. 11, 6, 35. in, 2, 52. 
Minois, P., iv, 11, 21. 
Misena, P., 1, n, 4. 
Misenus, P., in, 18, 3. 
Mopsopins, T., 1, 7,54. 
Mors, T., 1. 1, 70 ; 3, 4, 5. P., 11, 13B, 50. 

0., ni. 9, 38, 
Mimychins, P., n, 2, 7. 
Musa, P., 1. 8b, 41. n, 1, 35 ; 10, 10 ; 12, 22; 

13, 3 ; 34, 31. in, 1, 10, 14 ; 2, 13 ; 5, 20. 

iv. 4, 51 ; 6. 11, 75. 0., 1, 1, 30. in, 1, 6, 

27 ; 15. 19. 
Mutina, P., n. 1. 27. 
Mygdonius, P., iv. 6, 8. 
Myron. P., it, 31. 7. 
Mys. P., in. 9. 14. 
Mysus, P., n, 1, 63. 

Nape. 0., 1, 12, 4. 

Naso. 0., Epigr. 1. n, 1, 2. 

Natalie, T., n, 2, 1, 21. iv, 5, 19 ; 6, 1. 

Nemesis, T., n, 3, 51, 61 ; 5, 111 ; 6, 27. 

0., ni, 9, 31, 53. 
Nemorensis, P., in, 22, 25. 
Neptunus, P., in, 7, 15 ; 9, 41. 0., n, 16, 27. 

in, 2, 47. 
Nereus, P., in, 7, 67. iv, 6, 25. 
Nestor, P., 11, 13B, 46. 



2/6 



INDEX OF PROPER NAMES. 



Neuricus, P., iv, 3, 8. 

Nilus, T., 1, 7, 22. P., 11, 1, 31 ; 28, 18. in, 

11, 42, 51. iv, 6, 63. 
Niobe, P., in, 10, 8. 
Nireus, P., in, 18, 27. 
Nomas, P., iv, 7, 37. 
Notus, T., 1, 5, 35. P., 11, s, 12. iv, 6, 28; 

7, 22. 0., 11, 6, 44 ; 16, 22. 
Nox, T., ii, 1, 87. 
Numa, P., iv, 2, 69. 
Numantinus, P., iv, n, 30. 
Numicus, T., n, 5, 43. 
Nymphae, P t) iv, 4, 25. 

Oceanus, T., 1, 7, 10. P,, iv, 4, 64. 

Ocnus, P., iv, 3, 21. 

Oetaeus, P., in, 1, 32. 

Olympus, T., iv, 2, 13. P., n, i, 19. 0., 1, 

2, 39. 11, 1, 13. 
Omphale, P., in, n, 17. 
Orestes, 0., n, 6, 15. 
Oricius, P., in, 7, 49. 
Oricos, P., 1, 8, 20. 
Orithyia, P., in, 7, 13. 
Oromedon, P t) in, 9, 48. 
Oronteus, P., 1, 2, 3. 
Orpheus, P., in, 2, 1. 0., in, 9, 21. 
Orpheus, P,, 1, 3, 42. 
Ortygia, P., 11, 31, 10. in, 22, 15. 
Oscus, P., iv, 2, 62. 
Osiris, T., 1, 7, 27, 29, 43. 
Ossa, P., 11, 1, 19. 0., 11, 1, 14. 

Pactolus, P., 1, 6, 02 ; 14, 11. in, 18, 28. 
Paelignus, 0., n, 1, 1; 16, 1, 5. in, 15, 

3,8. 
Paetus, P,, in, 7, 5, 17, 26, 27, 47, 54, 66. 
Palaestinus, T., 1, 7, 18. 
Palatium, T., n, 5, 25. P., in, 9, 49. 
Palatinus, P., iv, 6, 11, 44. 
Pales, T., 1, i,36. 11,5,28. 
Palilia, T., n, 5, 87. 
Palladius, P., in, 9, 42. 
Pallas, P., 11, 2,7; 28, 12. iv, 4, 45. 0., II, 

16, 8. in, 3, 28. 
Pan, T., 11, 5, 26. P., in, 3, 30. 
Parca, T., 1, 7, 1. iv, 5, 3. P,, in, 5, 18. 

iv, 11, 13. 0., 11, 6,46. 
Parilia, P., iv, 4, 73. 
Paris, P., 11, 3, 37. in, 1, 30. 
Parnassus, P., n, 31, 13. 
Parrhasius, P., in, 9, 12. 



Parthenie, P M iv, 7, 74. 
Parthenius, P., 1, 1, 11. 
Parthus, P., n, 10, 14 ; 27, 5. in, 4, 6; 9, 54. 

iv, 3, 36, 67; 6, 79. 
Pasiphae, P., 11, 28c, 52. 
Paullus, P,, iv, 11, 1, 11, 35, 63, 81. 
Pax, T., 1, 10, 45 (Ms), 47, 67. 
Pegasides, P., in, 1, 19. 
Pelasgus, P., 11, 28, 11. 
Peliacus, P., in, 22, 12. 
Pelion, P., 11, 1, 20. 0., n, 1, 14. 
Pelopeus, P., iv, 6, 33. 
Pelops, 0., in, 2, 15. 
Pelusium, P., in, 9, 55. 
Penates, T., 1, 3, 33. P., 1, 22, 1. in, 7, 33, 

45. iv, 4, 33. 
Penthesilea, P., in, n, 14. 
Pentheus, P., in, 22, 33. 
Pergama, P., n, 1, 21 ; 3, 35 ; 9, 39. 0., n, 

12, 9. 
Permessus, P., n, 10, 26. 
Perrhaebus, P., in, 5, 33. 
Persae, P., in, n, 21. 
Persephone, P., 11, 13B, 26 ; 28c, 47. 
Perseus, P., n, 28, 22. in, 22, 8. iv, n, 39. 
Perusinus, P., 1, 22, 3. 
Petale, P., iv, 7, 43. 
Phaeacius, T., 1, 3, 3. 0., in, 9, 47. 
Phaeacus, P., in, 2, 11. 
Pha-jdra, P., n, 1, 51. 
Pharius, T., i, 3, 32. P., in, 7, 5. 
Pharus, P., 11, 1, 30. 
Phasis, P., in, 22, 11. 
Phidiacus, P., in, 9, 15. 
Philetaeus, P., in, 3, 52. iv, 6, 3. 
Philetas, P,, n, 34, 31. in, 1, 1. 
Philippeus, P., in, n, 40. 
Philippi, P., 11, 1, 27. 
Phillyrides, P., n, 1, 60. 
Philoctetes, P., n, 1, 59. 
Philomela, 0., n, 6, 7. 
Phineus, P,, in, 5, 41. 
Phlegraeus, P,, ir, 1, 39. in, 9, 48; 11, 37. 
Phoceus, 0., ir, 6, 15. 
Phoebe, P., 1, 2, 15. 0., m, 2, 51. 
Phoebus, T., 11, 3, 26, 27 ; 5, 1, 17, 65, 106, 

121. iv, 2, 22 ; 4, 2, 3. P., 1, 2, 17, 27 ; 11, 

28c, 54; 31, 1, 5, 10; 34, 61. in, 1, 7; 3, 13; 

22, 30. iv, 2, 32 ; 6, 15, 27, 57, 67, 76. 0., 

1, 1, 11, 16 ; 3, 11. in, 2, 51. 
Phoenix, P., n, x, 60 ; 27, 3. 
Phorcis, P., in, 22, 8. 



INDEX OF PROPER NAMES. 



277 



Phrygius, T., n, 1, 8G. P., 1, 2, 19. 11, 1, 

42 ; 34, 35. 
Phryne, P,, 11, 6, 6. 
Phthius, P., 11, 13B, 38. 
Phylacides, P., 1, 19, 7. 0., n, 6, 41. 
Phyto, T., 11, 5, 68. 
Pierides, T., iv, 2, 81. P., 11, 10, 12. 0., 

1, 1, 6. 
Pierius, P,, 11, 13, 5. 0., in, 9, 26. 
Pindus, P., in, 5, 33. 
Piraeus, P., 111, 21, 23. 
Pirithous. P., 11, 6, 18. 
Pisaeus, 0., in, 2, 15. 
Plato, P., in, 21, 25. 
Pleiades, P,, in, 5. 36. 
Poerms, P., 11, 31, 3. iv, 3, 51. 
Pollux, P., 1, 2, 16. in, 22, 26. 0., n, 16, 

13. in, 2, 54. 
Polydamas, P., in, 1, 29. 
Polyphemus, P., in, 2, 5. 
Pompeius. P., in, n, 35. 68. 
Ponticus, P,, 1, 7, 1, 12; 9, 26. 
Praxiteles, P., ni, 9, 16. 
Priameis, 0., 1, 9, 37. 
Priamus, P., 11, 3, 40; 28c, 54. 
Priapus, T., 1, 1, 18. 
Prometheus, P., 11, 1, 69. 111, 5, 7. 0., n, 

16, 40. 
Prometheus, P., 1, 12, 10. 
Propertius, P., n, 34, 93. in, 3, 17 ; 10, 15. 

iv, 7, 49. 
Propontiacus, P,, ni, 21, 2. 
Ptolemaeus, P,, n, 1, 30. 
Pudicitia, P., 11, 6, 25. 
Pudor, 0., 1, 2, 32; 3, 14. 
Punicus, P,, m, 3, 32. 0., n, 6, 22. 
Pyrene, T., 1, 7, 9. 
Pyrrhus, P., in, 11, 60. 
Pythius, P,, 11, 31, 16. 
Pytho, T., 11, 3, 27. 
Python, P., it, 6, 35. 

Quintilia, P t) n, 34, 90. 
Quirinus, P., iv, 6, 21. 
Quirites, 0., in, 2, 73. 

Remus, T., n, 5, 24. P,, 11, 1, 23. in, 9, 50. 

iv, 6, 80. 
Rhenus, P., in, 3, 45. 
Rhesus, 0., 1, 9, 23. 
Rhipaeus, P,, 1, 6, 3. 
Rhodanus, T.,i, 7, 11. 



Roma, T., n, 5, 21, 57. iv, 9, 2. P., 1, 8b, 
31, 11, s, 1; 6, 22; 19, 1. in, 1, 15, 35; 3, 
44; 11, 36, 49, 55, 60 ; 22, 20. iv, 2, 49 ; 4, 
9, 35, 56 ; 6, 57 ; n, 37. 0,, 1, 15, 26. 11, 
9, 17. ni, 15, 10. 

Romanus, T., 1, 7, 5. 11, 5, 15. P., 1, 7, 22; 
22, 5. 11, 3, 29, 30; 10, 4; 28c, 55; 34, 65. 
in, 3, 11 ; 4, 10 ; 9. 23, 49, 55 ; n. 31. 43 ; 
21, 15 ; 22, 17. iv, 2, 6, 55 ; 3. 45 ; 4, 12, 
35; 6, 3. 0., 11, 12. 23. in, 1, 29. 

Romulus, T., 11, 5, 23. P., n, 6. 20. iv, 4, 
79; 6, 43. 

Romulus {adj.), P,, ni, 11, 52. iv, 4, 26. 

Rutuli, T., 11, 5, 47. 

Sabiuus, P., 11, 6, 21. iv, 2,52 ; 3, 58 ; 4, 

12, 32, 57. 
Sacra Via, P,, n, x, 34. in, 4, 22, 
Samius, T., 11, 3, 47. 
Santonicus, T., 1, 7, 10. 
Saturnus, T., 1, 3, 18, 35. n, 5, 9. 
Scaeus, P., in, 9, 39. 
Scamander, P., in, 1, 27. 
Scipiades, P,, in, it, 67. 
Sciron, P, ? in, 16, 12. 
Scribonia, P., iv, n, 55, 
Scylla, P., iv, 4, 39. 
Scythia, P., iv, 3, 47. 0., n, 16, 39. 
Scythicus, P., in, 16, 13. 
Semele, P., n, 28, 27. 0., in, 3, 37. 
Semiramis, P.,ni, n, 21. 
Servius, T.,iv, 10, 4. 
Siculus, P,, 11, 1, 28. in, 18, 33. 
Silenus, P., in, 3, 29. 
Silvanus, P,, iv, 4, 5. 
Simois, P., in, 1, 27. 0., 1, 15, 10. 
Simplicitas, 0., 1, 3, 14. 
Sinis, P., in, 22, 37. 
Sirius, T., 1, 7, 31. 
Sisyphus, P., iv, n, 23. 
Socraticus, P., n, 34, 27. 
Sol, T., 11, 3, 56; 5, 60, 75. P., 11, 31, 11. 

0., 11, 1, 24. 
Somnium, T., n, 1, 90. 
Somnus, T., 11, 1, 90. 
Sophocleus, 0., 1, 15, 15. 
Sopor, P., 1, 3, 45. 

Spes, T., 1, 1, 9. 11, 6, 20, 21 (bis), 25, 27. 
Strymon, P., iv, 4, 72. 
Stygius, T., 1, 10, 36. P., n, 27, 13; 34. 53. 

in. 18, 9. iv, 3, 15. 
Subura, P,, iv, 7, 15. 



278 



INDEX OF PROPER NAMES. 



Suevus, P., in, 3, 45. 
Suhno, 0., n, 16, 1. in, 15, 11. 
Sulpicia, T., iv, 2, 1; 10, 5. 
Susa, P., 11, 13, 1. 
Sycambri, P., IV, 6, 77. 
Syphax, P., in, it, 59. 
Syrius, P., 11, 13B, 30. 
Syrtes, 0., n, 16, 21. 
Syrus, T., 1, 7, 18. 

Taenarius, P., in, 2, 9. 

Tagus, 0., 1, 15, 34. 

Tantaleus, P., n, 1, 66. iv, 11, 24. 

Tantalis, P., n, 31, 14. 

Tantalus, T., I, 3, 77. 

Tarbellus, T., 1, 7, 9. 

Tarpeia, P., iv, 4, 1, 29, 81, 93. 

Tarpeius, P., in, n, 45. iv, 4, 1, 15. 

Tarquinius, P., in, n, 47. 

Tatius, P., iv, 2, 52 ; 4, 7, 19, 26, 34, 38, 89. 

Tatius (adj.), P., iv, 4, 31. 

Taurus, T., 1, 7, 16. 

Tegeaeus, P., in, 3, 30. 

Tellus, P., 1, 19, 16. 0., 11, 1, 13. 

Tempe, 0., 1, 1, 15. 

Tenedos, 0., 1, 15, 9. 

Teucer, P., iv, 6, 21. 

Teuthras, P.,i, n, 11. 

Teutonicus, P., in, 3, 44. 

Thais, P., 11, 6, 3. 

Thebae, P., 1, 7, 1. n, 1, 21; 6, 5. in, 2, 3. 

Thebanus, P., in, 18, 6. 

Thermodon, P., iv, 4, 71. 

Thersites, 0., n, 6, 41. 

Theseus, P., 1, 3, 1. 11, 1, 37. 

Theseus (adj.), P., in, 21, 24. 

Thesprotus, P., 1, 11, 3. 

Thessalus, P,, 1, 19, 10. 

Thetis, P., in, 7, 68. 

Threicius, P., in, 2, 2. 0., 1, 9, 23. ' 

Thyrsis, P., n, 34, 68. 

Tiberinus, P., 1, 14, 1. iv, 2, 7. 

Tiberis, P., in, 11, 42. 

Tibullus, T., 1, 3, 55. iv, 13, 13. 0., 1, 15, 

28. in, 9, 5, 15, 39, 60, 66. 
Tibur, P., in, 16, 2. 
Tiburnus, P., in, 22, 23. 
Tiburs, T., n, 5, 69. 
Tiburtinus, P., iv, 7, 85. 
Tigris, P., in, 4, 4. 
Tisiphone, T., 1, 3, 69. P., in, 5, 40. 
Titan, P., 11, 1, 19. 



Tityos, T., 1, 3, 75. in, 5, 44. 

Tityrus, P., n, 34, 72. 0., 1, 15, 25. 

Tragoedia, 0., 1, 15, 25. in, 1, 11, 29, 35, 67. 

Triton, P., iv, 6, 61. 

Trivia, T., 1, 5, 16. 

Triumphus, 0., n, 12, 16. 

Troes, 0., 1, 9, 34. 

Troia, T., n, 5, 61. P., n, 3, 34; 28c, 53. 

in, 1, 32 ; 18, 3. 
Troianus, T., n, 5, 46. P., 11, 6, 16 ; 34, 63 

0., 11, 12, 21. in, 9, 29. 
Troicus, T., 11, 5, 40. 
Tullus, P., 1, 1, 9 ; 6, 2 ; 14, 20 ; 22, 1. m, 

22, 2, 6, 39. 
Turnus, T., n, 5, 48. 
Tusculus, T., 1, 7, 57. 
Tuscus, P., iv, 1, 3 (bis) ; 2, 49, 50. 
Tyndarides, P., 1, 17, 18. 
Tyndaris, 0., n, 12, 18. 
Tyrius* T., 1, 2, 75 ; 7, 47. iv, 2, 11 ; 3, 34. 
Tyro, P., 11, 28c, 51. 
Tyros, T., 1, 7, 20. n, 3, 58. iv, 2, 16. 
Tyrrhenus, P., 1, 8, 11. 

Yarro, P., 11, 34, 85, 86. 0., 1, 15, 21. 

Yelabrum, T., n, 5, 33. 

Yenetus, P., 1, 12, 4. 

Yentus, P., in, 7, 57. 

Yenus, T., 1, 1, 73 ; 2, 79, 90, 97 ; 3, 58, 79 ; 
5, 8 ; 10, 53, 66. 11, 1, 12 ; 3, 3, 29, 35, 50, 
72 ; 6, 9. iv, 2, 3 ; 3, 18, 19 ; 5, 13 ; 7, 5 ; 
13, 2, 14, 23. P., 1, 1, 33 ; 2, 30 ; 14, 16. 
11, 10, 7 ; 13B, 56 ; 19, 18 ; 28, 10. in, 3, 
31 ; 4, 19 ; 5, 23 ; 9, 11 ; 10, 30 ; 16, 20. iv, 
3, 50 ; 7, 19. 0., 1, 1, 7 ; 9, 3, 29. in, 2, 
55, 60 ; 9, 7, 15. 

Yergilii, P., 1, 8, 10. 

Yergilius, P., n, 34, 61. in, 15, 7. 

Yerona, P., in, 15, 7. 

Yertumnus, T., iv, 2, 13. P., iv, 1, 2 ; 2, 
10, 12, 35. 

Vesta, P., in, 4, 11. iv, 4, 18, 36, 69 ; 11, 53. 

Vestales, T., n, 5, 52. 

Victoria, T., 11, 5, 45. 0., in, 2, 45. 

Vlixes, P., 11, 6, 23. in, 7, 41. 

Vmbria P., 1, 22, 9. 

Vmbrus, P., in, 22, 23. 

Volsinii, P., iv, 2, 4. 

Xerxes, P., n, 1, 22. 
Zephyrus, P., 1, 18, 2. 



GENERAL INDEX. 

Roman numbers refer to pages of the Introduction, Arabic to those of 
the Commentary. 



ab arte, 134. 

Ablative : of Attendant Circumstances, 245; 

of Material without ex, 195 ; for Second 

Accusative, 125 ; with damnare, 193. 
Accusative : after verbs of Emotion, 136 ; 

after vesci, 148 ; of Respect, 128, 135, 146, 

162. 
Aero, law of pseudonyms, xxii. 
ad : pregnant use of, 186 ; ad i 

145 ; ad latus, 150. 
addictus, 212. 
Adjective : for Adverb, 127 ; from names of 

persons, 162. 
Admetus, 143. 
adurere for inurere, 214. 
Adverb : of Motion with adesse, 153 ; for 

Adjective, 147, 177. 
advorsitores, 162. 
Aemilia, miracle of, 244. 
agedum, with Plural verb, 160. 
Alexandrian age, characteristics of, x, xi. 
Ambarvalia, 139. 
amm-es = object of affection, 155. 
Andromeda, 193. 
Antimachus of Colophon, x. 
Aorist Infinitive, 160. 
Apelles, 161. 

Apollo : Citharoedus, 146 ; crinitus, 246. 
Apuleius, list of pseudonyms, xxii. 
Arabius, quantity of, 173. 
Archaic Future, 219 : Archaic Imperfect, 

163, 219. 
Archilochus of Paros, ix. 
argutare, 164. 

Ariadne of the Vatican, 162. 
arma (equestria), 247. 
armigera, epithet of Minerva, 255. 
Arruntius Stella, xlvii. 
Art, illustrations from, in Propertius, 209. 
Asseveration, position of Pronoun in, 134. 
Asteris, xlvii, n. i. 



Atalanta, 159. 

Athens, reputation for learning, 164. 
auguror used paratactically, 142. 
Augustan age, characteristics of, xv. 
Augustus, deification of, 203; literary ef- 
forts, xvii, n. i. 
aureus, epithet of Amor, 248. 

Baiae, 170, 171. 
Bassus, xxxiv, n. i. 
blandus, force of, 237. 
Britannus for Britannicus, 181. 
Brook Farm Community, xi, n. 3. 
Browning, quotations from, 127, 156. 

Callimachus, xii ; influence on Ennius, 
xii, n. 3. 

Callinus of Ephesus, ix. 

Callisto, 193. 

Calvus, xiv. 

Canon of the Elegy, xx, xxi. 

caput = heart, 179, 244. 

Carlyle, xxxviii. 

cassida for cassis, 212. 

Cassiope, 173, 174, 194. 

Cassius of Parma, xiv. 

Catullus : elegiac verse, xiii ; imitated by 
Propertius, xxxvii, n. 3 ; indebted to Cal- 
limachus, xii, n. 3. 

Catulus, xiii. 

celeber, 154. 

Centaurs as figure-heads of ships, 236. 

Cerberus, fear of, 218. 

Cerinthus, xiv. 

Cinna, indebtedness to Parthenius, xiii,N. 3. 

Claudia, miracle of, 244. 

Cleanliness in Roman religion, 140. 

Coan garments, 144. 

Collective Singular, 174, 222. 

collo arma gerere, 150. 

Corinna, xxii, xiii. 



280 



GENERAL INDEX. 



corniger, epithet of Bacchus, 266. 

cornua symbolic of strength, 264. 

Cornutus = Cerinthus ?, xlv, n. 5. 

Corsican honey, 251. 

costum, 234. 

credulus governing the Dative, 163. 

creta = calx, 226. 

Crops regarded as interest on the seed 
planted, 151. 

cum : Preposition crowded out by Conjunc- 
tion, 129 ; = dam, 149. 

cupidus followed by the Infinitive, 176. 

cura = love, 144. 

Ciiriifor Curiatii, 201. 

curare followed by the Infinitive, 128. 

Cynthia, xxii, xxxii. 

Cynthia Monobiblos, xxxiii. 

Cytheris, xxiv. 

damnare with the Ablative, 193. 

Dative : after credulus, 163 ; after vigilare, 
182 ; Ethical, 194 ; Local of Place Whi- 
ther, 164, 245 ; of Fourth Declension in 
u, 171 ; of Reference, 175. 

deductio lunae, 160, 253. 

Deification of Augustus, 203. 

Delia, xxii, xxvi. 

devotio, 215. 

Distinctiveness, 133. 

docilis = doctus, 226. 

doctus, used of a poet, 155 ; with the In- 
finitive, 135. 

Domitius Marsus, xxv, n. 5. 

elegia, false etymology of, 262. 

Elegy : definition of, vii, viii ; history in 

Greece, ix, x, xi, xii ; Asiatic, European, 

African periods, x, n. 3. 
Elysian fields : location of, 132 ; compared 

with Tartarus, 132. 
Ennius : epigrams, xiii, n. 5 ; indebtedness 

to Callimachus, xi, n. 3. 
Epicurus, gardens of, 219. 
Epitaphs, elegists 1 fondness for, 132. 
Epithets, transfer of, 138, 141, 203. 
Euphorion of Calchis, xii. 
expertus, passive, 163. 

fades, 161. 

Fates, their spinning and chanting, 135. 
Final vowel before two consonants, 215. 
flava, epithet of Minerva, 246. 



flavus, symbolic of love, 143. 

Floats, in triumphal processions, 149. 

formosus, in the lover's vocabulary, 158. 

furta, in love poetry, 181. 

Future : Archaic, 219 ; Indicative in an Im- 
perative sense, 171; Participle used attrib- 
utively, 239. 

Gallus : the poet, xxiii; relative of Proper- 

tius, xxxii and n. 4. 
gaudere in sinu, 158. 
gaudia, in love poetry, 156, 173. 
Genitive of Separation, 136. 
Genius, 142. 
Glycera, xxvi. 
Gray, Elegy in a Country Church-yard, 

viii. 
Grief, as a means of delaying death, 239. 
Groups of poems in Propertius, 168. 
Groves, sacred to Silvanus, 280. 

habitare, transitive, 188. 

Hair of Roman heroines, 181. 

Hand-loom, 141. 

hasta pura, 229. 

Health, formula used in drinking, 140. 

Helmet used as a drinking-cup, 150. 

herba Sabina, 229. 

Hiatus, 130, 134, 207, 212. 

Horace : imitated by Propertius, xxxvii, n. 

6 ; indebted to Callimachus, xii, n. 3 ; 

opinion of Tibullus, xxx ; preference for 

the concrete, 128. 
Horsemanship, Roman's admiration of, 129. 
Hostia, xxxii. 
Hostius, xxxii, n. 8. 
humo = in humo, 212. 
Hylaeus, 160. 

Ianthis, xlvii, n. i. 

igitur, 166, 189. 

ignes = passion, 164. 

Imperative, distinction between Present and 
Future, 139. 

Imperfect : Archaic, 219 ; opposed to Uni- 
versal Present, 190 ; Subjunctive of Un- 
real Wish, 138, 143. 

Indicative in Indirect Question, 174. 

Indigetes, definition of, 147. 

Indirect Question in Indicative, 174. 

Infinitive : after a Substantive, 160 ; after a 
verb of Motion, 160 ; after cupidus, 176 ; 



GENERAL INDEX. 



28l 



curare, 128 ; ingredior, 199 ; miror, 172 ; 
n eg are (refuse), 193 ; par cere, 184 ; pre- 
cari, 146; valere, 172; vereor, 164; Aoristic 
use of Perfect, 127, 160 ; of Design, 165. 

ingredior with Infinitive, 199. 

iniuria, 175. 

Innovations in civilization, 137. 

in numero, 194. 

imigruits, active, 141. 

insanire = amare, 196. 

Interrogative particle, omission of, 156. 

Inverted Passive, 221. 

Isis-worship at Ronie, 131. 

Italy, praises of, 220. 

Iterative action, law of, 163. 

ivrare with per omitted, 158. 

iurafus, medial, 168. 

his osculi, 184. 

lust a. 206. 

iuventa for inventus, 157. 

Ivory, unchanged in color at Tibur, 241. 

Ivy. sacred to Bacchus, 136. 



Judgment of God, 240. 

Juno : worship at Falerii, 265; : 

women, 142. 
Juxtaposition, 130, 152. 



Genius of 



labor, 125. 

laceratus, reflexive, 189. 

Lachmann : text of Tibullus, xxx, x. 6 : of 

Propertius, xxxix. n. 7. 
lacrimae, personified, 165. 
lacus, 149. 

Lamp, sputtering of, 229. 
Lares, 126. 146. 
lascuus, epithet of Amor. 
Laurel : crackling of, a good omen, 148 ; 

sacred to Apollo, 146. 
Literary schools in the Augustan age, xvi. 
Literature, relation of Greek and Roman, 

viii. 
litterae .laureatae, 250. 
Lower World, respite in, 243. 
lugubrvu 245. 
lunare. transitive. 235. 
Lycinna. xxxii. 159. 
Lycoris : xxi : xxii. x. 4 ; xxiv. 
Lygdamus, xlv. 

Macaulay on Thucydides, xxxviii. 
Macer, xl, x. 3. 



Maecenas : xviii ; equestrian rank, 208. 

mage — potius, 170. 

Magic numbers, 134. 

male, 139. 

mantis = work of art, 219. 

Marcellus, 217. 

Marcia aqua, 200. ' 

Marpessa, 161. 

Marriage torch, 244. 

Martial, opinion of Propertius, xxxix, x. 2. 

Maximianus, xlvii. 

Meidias, vase of, 161. 

Meleager, 222. 

memorare, 146. 

Menander, the Teupyos of, viii, x. 1. 

Mens Bona, 248. 

Mentor, 172. 

mercatus, passive, 161. 

Messalla, xviii, xix ; fondness for wine, 136. 

Mimnermus of Colophon, ix. 

miror with Infinitive, 172. 

Jlisena for Misenum,, 170. 

Mood, shift of, 199. 

Motifs of classic elegists, xxi. 

musta, 251. 

Myron, 195. 

namqiie y postpositive, 238. 

Neaera, xlv. 

ne with the First Imperative, 128. 

nee = ei ne y 194. 

nee for neu, 152. 

nee mora, formula of transition, 233. 

necproba = et inproba, 194. 

nee solitus — et insolitus, 182. 

negare (refuse) with Infinitive, 193. 

Nemesis, xxii. xxvi. 

Nereids, number of, 208. 

Nile, sources of. 136. 

Niobe, 195. 

non exoratus = inexorabilis, 242. 

non tempestivus = intempestivus, 156. 

non ullus = nullus, 140, 160. 174. 

iwscere with Infinitive, 192. 

Notus, bad reputation of, 257. 

Number, sudden changes of, 160. 

oblitus, passive, 176. 

ocellus without diminutive force, 163. 

6 final in Present Indicative, 151. 

operari, 140. 

Order of words in Tibullus, 140, 142, 143,145. 



282 



GENERAL INDEX. 



Ortygia, 221. 

ossilegium, 131. 

Ovid, xxxixseq. ; birth, xxxix; character, 
xliii ; indebtedness to Callimachus, xii, 
n. 3 ; literary career, xli ; opinion of Gal- 
las, xxiv ; of Tibullus, xxx. 

Ox and horse, stock contrast, 129. 

Paleness symptomatic of love, 160. 
Pales, 127. 

Paradise, descriptions of, 132. 
parcere : with Infinitive, 184 ; used abso- 
lutely, 209. 
Parthenius of Nicaea, xiii. 
Parthian warfare, 204. 
Participle : Future used attributively, 239 ; 

Singular used as substantive, 201. 
pasci, 260. 

Passenus Paullus, xxxii, xlvii. 
Passive, inverted, 221. 
Pater, Walter, 139. 

pater, applied to beneficent deities, 136. 
Patronage of literature, xvii. 
paupertas, 125. 
Penance, 130. 
Perfect : Emotional, 163 ; Syncopated, 163, 

166. 
Pergama for Pergamum, 178. 
perire, 170. 
Petrarch, manuscript of Propertius, xxxix, 

N. 5. 
Phaeacia, 131. 
Pharos, 132, 179. 
Philetas of Cos, xi. 
Phocylides of Miletus, x. 
Plania, xxvi. 
Pliny the Younger, xlvii. 
Pluperfect for Aorist, 148. 
Plural, uses in poetry, 129. 
Pollio, xix, xx. 

Polysyllabic verse-ending, 176, 194. 
poma for pomi, 126. 
Pompeii, quotations from Propertius at, 

xxxix, n. 4. 
ponere for deponere, 190. 
Ponticus, xxxiv, n. i ; 165. 
Porson on German scholarship, x, n. i. 
Position of que, 146, 219 ; of ve, 143 ; of 

words in pentameter, 126. 
positus = /ceiVevos, 162, 167. 
Possessive Pronoun for Objective Genitive 

of Personal Pronoun, 228. 



Prayers, repetitions in Roman, 140. 

precari with Infinitive, 146. 

Predicate Adjective with vemoand ire, 175. 

Predicate Vocative, 137. 

Priapea, xliv. 

Priapus, 126. 

Propertius, xxx seq. ; birthplace, xxxi, 
xxxii ; four books or five ? xxxi, 1 ; good 
opinion of the Ptolemies, 214 ; indebted- 
ness to Callimachus, xii, 3 ; to Philetas, 
xii, 1 ; interest in art, 162 ; literary ac- 
tivity, xxxiii, xxxiv ; quoted in Pompeian 
inscriptions, 159; style, xxxvii, xxxviii. 

Pseudonyms, Apuleius's list, xxii ; law of, 
xxii. 

Pseudo-Tibulliana, xliv, xlv. 

Pseudo-Vergiliana, xliv. 

pueri = nati, 245. 

pulvis, 225. 

Pyrene, 135. 

quamvis with Indicative, 175. 

que, position of, 146, 219. 

Quintilian, opinion of Callimachus, xii, n. 
2 ; of Gallus, xxiv ; of Ovid, xliii ; of Pro- 
pertius, xxxix, n. 3 ; of Tibullus, xxx. 

quod si, 154. 



regina elegiarum, 241. 

Remi, Genitive of Romulus, 178. 

reor, hypertactical, 142. 

Respite in the Lower World, 243. 

Rhesus, 219. 

rhombus, 193. 

Rivers summoned as witnesses, 135. 

Roma Aeterna, xv, n. 2 ; 146. 

Rome, description of site before settlement, 

146. 
Romulus for Romuleus, 231. 

Sabbath, Romans 1 regard for, 131. 

Sabina herba, 229. 

sa?ius, 155. 

Scaliger, text of Propertius, xxxix, n. 6 ; of 

Tibullus, xxx, n. 5. 
Scenery, love of natural, 257. 
Scipiades for Sctpionides, 215. 
scribere for inscribere, 175. 
Scyllae, confusion of the two, 232. 
Sea, dread of, 132. 
secundare, 219. 
Shades, ceaseless activity of, 133. 



GENERAL IXDEX. 



283 



Shakespeare quoted, 152. 

Shaving at Rome, 140. 

Shift of Mood, 193. 

si as an Indirect Interrogative, 197. 

Sibyls, 148. 

Silvanus, relation to farmer's life, 126. 

Singular of Participle as substantive, 201. 

sit tibi terra levis, 151, 174. 

Slaves, chalking of feet of, 141. 

Sneezing a good omen, 183. 

Solon of Athens, ix. 

Spinal column turning into a snake, 240. 

steterant, Imperfect in force, 195. 

Stumbling on the threshold, 131. 

Sub-construction, 243. 

Subjunctive of Copula omitted, 177. 

Subura, 239. 

Sulpicia, xxviii, xlv. 

sureties, passive, 229. 

Swinburne quoted, 126. 

Syncopated Perfect, 163, 166. 

Synizesis, 141. 

Tarpeia, romance of, 230. 

Telephus, 180. 

Tempe, 247. 

tener, epithet of Bacchus, 145. 

Theognis of Megara, x. 

Tibullus, xxv seq. ; birthplace, xxv, xxvi ; 
character, xxvii ; dread of tears, 127 ; im- 
itated by Propertius, xxxvii, n. 4 ; sources 
for his life, xxv ; style, xxviii, xxix. 

Tibur under protection of Hercules, 241. 

togapicta, 232. 

to?*us for lectus, 127. 

trahQr, 138. 



Tullus, L. Volcatius, xs 
tumultus, 186. 
Tyrtaeus of Sparta, ix. 



riii ; 159. 



ultae for utti, 155. 

ulterius wiuh Accusative, 164. 

univira, 244. 

vacuus, 247. 

valere with Infinitive, 172, 222. 

Valerius Aedituus, xiii. 

Varro Atacinus, xiv. 

Velleius Paterculus, opinion of Ovid, xliii ; 

opinion of Tibullus, xxx. 
Verbs of Emotion followed by Accusative, 

136. 
vereor with Infinitive, 164. 
Vergil imitated by Propertius, xxxvii, n. 5. 
Vergiliae, 167. 
versus mollis, 166. 
Vertumnus, 224. 

vesci followed by Accusative, 148. 
viden ut followed by Subjunctive, 140. 
videre = adire, 160. 
videsrte and viden, 140. 
vigilare with Dative, 182. 
Violentilla, xlvii, 1. 
virgo, epithet of Diana, 149. 
vita, 161. 

Vocative, Predicate, 137. 
Volumnia, xxiv. 
Votive-paintings, 131. 
voturn, 134. 

Water as a purifying agent, 140, 153. 
Weeping impossible for the gods, 263. 
Winds as destroyers of prayers, 167. 



THE GILDERSLEEVE-LODGE LATIN SERIES 

UNDER THE EDITORIAL SUPERVISION OF 

BASIL L. GILDERSLEEVE and GONZALEZ LODGE 

PROFESSOR OF GREEK PROFESSOR OF LATIN 

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY BRYN MAWR COLLEGE 

WITH THE COOPERATION OF 

MOSES S. SLAUGHTER and THOMAS FITZ=HUGH 

PROFESSOR OF LATIN PROFESSOR OF LATIN 

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 



THE UNIVERSITY PUBLISHING COMPANY have 
arranged to issue a new series of Latin text-books 
for schools and colleges under the editorial super- 
vision of Professors Gildersleeve and Lodge. These scholars 
have secured the cooperation of Professor Slaughter, of the 
University of Wisconsin, and Professor Fitz-Hugh, of the 
University of Virginia, who will have charge of the interests 
of the series in the Northwest and the South. 

These books will combine the best results of modern schol- 
arship with regard for the practical necessities of the class 
room. With this end in view the General Editors have 
endeavored to secure as co-editors scholars of long experience 
and of special attainments. The following books are ready 
or in course of preparation : 

THE PREPARATORY SERIES 

Gildersleeve's Latin Grammar. School Edition, by 

Professors Gildersleeve and Lodge. 

This manual has been prepared in response to the demand 
ior a briefer Latin Grammar based on the Gildersleeve-Lodge 
work of 1894. 

The book has about three-fifths as many pages as the large 
Grammar, but it has not been abridged to a skeleton. It is 
still suited to serve the average student throughout his course 
in school and college. 

The section numbers are the same as in the larger 
Grammar, vi. + 330 pages. Price 80 cents. 

(2576; 



THE GILDER SLEEVE-LODGE LATIN SERIES 



A First Book in Latin, by Charles W. Bain, late Head 
Master of the Sewanee Grammar School in the University 
of the South, Professor in South Carolina College. 

The gradation is by easy steps. The pupil learns the 
inflected forms and the principles of construction one after 
another in connection with well-arranged exercises, short 
vocabularies, and practical and stimulating notes. 

Reading lessons in Roman History, carefully annotated, 
are interspersed, including lives of Caesar and Cicero from 
Viri Romae. Cloth, 344 pages. Price 75 cents. 

Selections from Ovid, by James N. Anderson, A.M., Ph.D. 
author of "On the Sources of Ovid's Heroides. ,, 
These selections fall into two parts of about equal length. 
The first part contains extracts from the Metamorphoses ; 
the second, extracts from the other works of Ovid. The 
two parts are edited with equal completeness, so that teachers 
may begin with the Metamorphoses or with the Heroides, as 
they prefer. Cloth, 270 pages. Price $i.oo. 

Ciceft>'s Orations, by Robert W. Tunstall, Principal of 
Norfolk Academy, Norfolk, Va. 

The text of each speech has been broken into paragraphs, 
arid a running argument showing the trend of the Latin 
inserted at the breaks. This will enable the average pupil 
of fifteen or sixteen to translate the text with intelligence 
and interest. 

The book is graded. The speeches against Catiline, for 
example, are treated in a more elementary manner than any 
of the others. In the commentary on these speeches occa- 
sional hints are given on the difficult art of translation. The 
Ninth Philippic has been added as material for practice in 
sight-translation. Cloth, xxxiv + 585 pages. Price. $1.20. 

Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War, by Professor 
Charles W. Bain. 

Sallust, Catilina, by D. A. Penick, Instructor in the Uni- 
versity of Texas. 

Vergil's Aeneid, by Thomas Fitz-Hugh, Professor elect 
in the University of Virginia. 



o ^ 











* * 



> 






>^ 



^ <5c 









^ ^ 






<*> 



^ K 



* 9 I ' 












•V. 



'^. 



<. 






"fU. 



- 












^ V* 



^ V* 




































